









Jp* 










NOOTKA AND ADOLAY.-Page 143. 

( Frontispiece .) 

















J . N i s b e t & C o 

LofVDON 

I 










THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


A ROMANCE OF 


THE REALMS OF ICE 


x > 

BY It® Mi BALL ANT YNE 




AUTHOR OF “THE HOT SWAMP;” “THE BUFFALO RUNNER “BLOWN TO BITS 
“THE CORAL island;” “the GARRET AND THE GARDEN;” BLUE LIGHTS, OR 
HOT WORK IN THE SOUDAN;” “THE YOUNG FUR TRADERS;” “THE 
BATTERY AND THE BOILER;” “THE DOG CRUSOE AND HIS 

master;” “posthaste;” “ fighting the flames ; ” 

“the lifeboat;” “the iron horse;” 

ETC. ETC. 



NEW YORK 

T. NELSON AND SONS 
1893 


[All rights reserved ] 



PREFACE. 


That this tale may, in some small degree, 
advance the cause of right, and tend to demolish 
wrong, is the height of my ambition. That it 
may enable my readers to enjoy an occasional 
leisure hour is my earnest hope. 

Ii. M. B. 


Harrow, 1893. 



CONTENTS 


CHAP. I. — A SURPRISE, A COMBAT, AND A FEED, 

II.— WARUSKEEK, 

III. — PEACE OR WAR— WHICH ? 

IV. — WAR PREVAILS, 

V.— A RENCONTRE AND FLIGHT, 

VI. — A SURPRISE, A STRUGGLE, AND A CAPTURE, 

VII. — FLIGHT AND MISFORTUNE, 

VIII.— IN THE HOUR OF NEED, 

IX.— TRYING MOMENTS AND PERPLEXING DOUBTS, . 

X.— A WILD CHASE AND A SAD FAILURE, 

XI.— ENCAMPED ON THE ISLET, 

XII.— HOME— SWEET HOME— AND SMOKE, ETC., . 

XIII. — DOINGS IN WARUSKEEK, 

XIV. — IN THE WILD-WOODS AGAIN, 

XV. — WILD DOINGS OF THE FUR-TRADERS AND RED MEN, 

XVI.— SORROWS AND SINS, AND A BOLD ADVENTURE, 

XVII. — NAZINRED’S JOURNEY OVER THE ARCTIC SEA, . 

XVIII. — A SURPRISE AND A CATASTROPHE, . . . . 

XIX. — THE ESKIMOS AGAIN, AND A GREAT DISCOVERY AND 
RESCUE, 

XX.— STRANGE CONVERSE AND DISCOVERIES, 


PAGE 

1 

16 

29 

39 

51 

62 

75 

83 

91 

104 

115 

127 

142 

154 

165 

179 

192 

205 

219 

229 


v 


Vi CONTENTS 

CHAP. XXL— KICK-BALL AND AN IMPORTANT MEETING, . 
XXII.— TELLS OF HUNTING EXTRAORDINARY, . 

XXIII.— A BEAR-HUNT AND A SAD END, . . . . 

XXIV. — THE TRADERS AT WORK, 

XXV. —THE OUTPOST, AND EFFECT OF A “FUDDLE,” 

XXVI. — A MYSTERIOUS JOURNEY AND A GREAT DISCOVERY, 

XXVII. — INTERESTING, AMUSING, AND ASTOUNDING DIS- 
COVERIES, 

XXVIII.— THE SHIP RE-VISITED AND RE-EXPLORED, . 

XXIX.— CURIOSITY AND PRESUMPTION FOLLOWED BY 
CATASTROPHE, 

» 

XXX.— A DECLARATION, AN INTERRUPTION, AND A GREAT 
FIGHT, 

XXXI.— AN EXPEDITION AND A DISAPPOINTMENT, . 

XXXII.— AN UNEXPECTED MEETING, . - . 

XXXIII.— THE LAST, 


PAGE 

241 

252 

261 

277 

289 

303 

318 

332 

345 

362 

376 

387 

395 




LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


NOOTKA AND ADOLAY (p. 143), . 

ILLUSTRATED TITLE. 

Frontispiece. 

RINKA PROSTRATE ON THE GROUND, 

to face page 65 

“SHE BOUNDED TOWARDS HIM,” . 

247 


“DRAGGED THE MONSTER OFF THE FALLEN 

MAN,” 268 


“TO THE RESCUE,” 


322 





THE WALRUS HUNTERS 

A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 


CHAPTER I 

A SURPRISE, A COMBAT, AND A FEED. 

• There is a river in America which flows to 
the north-westward of Great Bear Lake, and helps 
to drain that part of the great wilderness into the 
Arctic Sea. 

It is an insignificant stream compared with 
such well-known waterways as the Mackenzie and 
the Coppermine; nevertheless it is large enough 
to entice the^vhite whale and the seal into its 
waters every spring, and it becomes a resting- 
place for myriads of wild-fowl while on their 
passage to and from the breeding-grounds of the 
Far North. 

Greygoose River was the name given to it by 
the Dogrib Indians who dwelt in its neighbour- 
hood, and who were wont, every spring and 
autumn, to descend its waters nearly to the sea 
A 


2 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


in quest of game. The Eskimos, who, coming 
from the mysterious north, were in the habit of 
ascending it a short way during open water in 
pursuit of their peculiar prey, named it Whale 
River. 

The Indians and Eskimos did not often meet 
while on these trips. They did not like meeting, 
because the result was apt to be^disastrous. 
Besides, the land was wide and the game plenti- 
ful enough for both, so that they were not much 
tempted to risk a meeting. Occasionally, how- 
ever, meetings and encounters did take place, and 
sometimes bitter feuds arose, but the possession 
of fire-arms by the Indians — who were supplied 
by the fur-traders — rendered the Eskimos^wary. 
Their headstrong courage, however, induced the 
red men to keep as much as possible out of their 
way. In short, there was a good deal of the 
spirit of “let-be for let-be” between the two at 
the time of which we write. 

One morning in the spring-time of the year, 
soon after the floods caused by the melting snows 
had swept the ice clean out of Greygoose or AVhale 
River, a sturdy young Eskimo urged his sharp 
kayak, or skin-covered canoe, up the stream in 
pursuit of a small-white whale. But the creature 
gave him the slip, so that, after an energetic chase, 
he turned his light vessel towards the left bank 
of the stream, intending to land. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 3 

Cheenbuk, for such was his name, was one of 
those sedate beings whose energies run calm and 
deep, like a mighty river. His feelings, whatever 
they might be, did not usually cause much agita- 
tion on the surface. Disappointment did not visibly 
depress, nor did success unduly elate him. The 
loss of the whale failed to disturb the placid look 
of grave contentment which sat on his good- 
looking countenance. 

For it must be noted here that Cheenbuk was 
a handsome savage — if, indeed, we are entitled to 
style him a savage at all. His features were good, 
and strongly marked. His young beard and 
moustache were black, though not bushy. His 
dark eyes were large and full of tenderness, which 
expression, by an almost imperceptible raising of 
eyelid and contraction of brow, was easily trans- 
muted into a gaze of ferocity or indignation. His 
bulky frame was clothed in the seal-skin garb 
peculiar to his people; his hair was straight, 
voluminous, and unkempt, and his motions gave 
indication of great strength combined with agility. 

And no wonder, for a large part of our young 
Eskimo’s life had been spent in battling with the 
forces of Nature, and the hardships of life as dis- 
played in the Arctic regions — to say nothing of 
frequent conflicts with the seal, the walrus and the 
polar bear. 

Running his kayak among the rushes of a small 


4 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


inlet, Cheenbuk stepped out of the hole in its 
centre into the stream. The water was ankle-deep, 
but the youth suffered no discomfort, for he wore 
what may be styled home-made waterproof boots 
reaching to above the knees. These had been 
invented by his forefathers, no doubt, in the re- 
mote ages of antiquity — at all events, long before 
india-rubber had been discovered oi^Macintosh 
was born. 

Drawing his little craft out of the water, the 
young man took some food from its interior, and 
was about to begin his truly simple meal by eating 
it raw, when a distant^sound arrested his hand on 
the way to his mouth. He turned his head slightly 
on one side and remained for some moments like 
a singularly attentive statue. 

Presently the voice of a- wild-goose was faintly 
heard in the far distance. Evidently the young 
Eskimo desired a change of fare, for he laid down 
the slice of raw seal, on which he had been about 
to regale himself, and disengaged a long slender 
spear from the bow of his kayak. 

It is well known that wild-geese will, with pro- 
verbial stupidity, answer to an imitation of their 
cry, particularly in --spring. Indeed, they will 
answer .to a very bad imitation of it, insomuch 
that the poorest counterfeit will turn them out 
of their course and attract them towards the crier. 

Availing himself of this weakness, our Eskimo 


A ROMANCE OP THE ICE-WORLD 


5 


hid himself behind a bush, and was opening his 
mouth to give vent to a stentorian goose-call when 
he was checked, and apparently petrified, by a loud 
report, which echoed among the neighbouring 
cliffs. 

The youth knew the sound well. He had heard 
it only once before, but, once heard, it could never 
be forgotten. It was the gun, or, as his people called 
it, thejire-spouter, of an Indian. Plunging quietly 
into the underwood, he hastened towards the spot 
where a little wreath of smoke betrayed the position 
of what may be almost styled his hereditary foe. 

Cautiously, carefully, and with a catlike motion 
that could hardly have been excelled by an Indian 
brave, Cheenbuk advanced until he reached the 
edge of a partially clear space, in which he beheld 
an Indian leisurely engaged im pushing the head 
of a large grey-goose-under his. belt. At his side, 
leaning against a tree, was the long-barrelled 
fowling-piece, which he had just reloaded. It was 
one of those common, cheap,- flint-lock affairs 
which were supplied by the fur-traders in those 
days. 

The Indian was a tall, powerfully built middle- 
aged man, and, from his look and manner, was 
evidently unsuspicious of the presence of a foe. 
He seemed to be quite alone. 

The Eskimo poised his light spear, but hesitated 
to launch it. He shrank from killing a defence- 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


6 

less foe. The hesitation betrayed him, for at the 
moment the sharp ear of the red man heard, and 
his eye discovered him. 

The gun flew to the Indian’s shoulder, and the 
Eskimo launched his spear, but by good fortune 
both weapons- failed. The well-directed spear was 
cleverly dodged, and the gun missed fire. 

To re-cock the weapon, take a more deadly aim, 
and pull the trigger, was the work of three seconds ; 
but again the flint proved faithless. Cheenbuk, 
however, divined the meaning of the attempt, and 
sprang upon his foe to prevent a repetition of the 
action, though he was now practically unarmed,^— 
for the little stone knife which he carried in his 
bosom was but ill suited for deadly combat. 

The Indian clubbed his gun to meet the. onset, 
but the Eskimo, evading the first blow, caught 
hold of the weapon with both hands, and now 
began a fierce and prolonged struggle for possession 
of the “ fire-spouter.” 

Both hands of each combatant being engaged, 
neither could venture to draw his knife, and, as 
the men were pretty equally matched, both as to 
size and strength, they swayed to and fro with 
desperate energy for a considerable time, each 
endeavouring to throw the other, while the sweat 
poured down their faces and their breathing came 
in fitful gasps. 

At length there was a pause in the conflict. It 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


7 


seemed as if they had stopped by. mutual consent 
to recover breath for a final effort. 

As they glared into each other’s faces, each felt 
surprised to see little or nothing of the evidence 
of that deadly -hatred which usually characterises 
implacable foes. Suddenly Cheenbuk relaxed his 
grip of the gun and stepped back a pace. In so 
doing he put himself, to some extent at least, at 
the .mercy of his adversary. With quick percep- 
tion the Indian ..recognised the fact. He drew 
himself up and dropped the .gun on the ground. 

“ Why should- we. fight ? The hunting-grounds 
are wide enough!” he said, in the grave sententious 
tones peculiar to his race. 

“ That is just what came to my^thought when I 
let go,” answered the more matter-of-fact Eskimo. 

“Let us part, then, as -friends,” returned the 
red man, “ and let us do it in the^ manner of the 
pale-faced traders.” 

He extended his right hand as he spoke. 
Cheenbuk, who had heard a rumour of the white 
man’s customs — probably from men of his race 
who had met with the crews of whalers — ad- 
vanced, grasped the extended hand, and shook 
it in a way that might have done -credit to any 
Englishman ! He smiled at the same time with 
a slightly humorous expression, but the other 
maintained his solemnity. Fun is not arprominent 
characteristic of the red man. 


8 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“But there is no need that we should part 
before feeding,” said the Eskimo. 

“ Waugh ! ” replied the Indian, by which it is to 
be presumed he signified assent. 

The reconciled foes being both adepts in the art 
of cookery, and — one of them at least — in wood- 
craft, it was not long before a large fire was blaz- 
ing under a convenient fir-tree, and the grey goose 
soomdiissed pleasantly in front of it. They were 
a quiet and self-contained couple, however, and 
went about their work in profound silence. Not 
that they lacked ideas or language — for each, being 
naturally a good linguist, had somehow acquired 
a smattering of the other’s tongue, — but they- re- 
sembled each other in theii> disinclination ta talk 
without having something- particular to say, 
and in their inclination to quietness and so- 
briety of demeanour. 

Here, however, the resemblance ceased, for 
while the Eskimo was free and easy, ready to 
learn and to sympathise, and quick to see and 
appreciate a joke, the Indian was sternly con- 
servative, much impressed with his own rectitude 
of intention, as well as his capacity for action, and 
absolutely devoid of the slightest tinge of humour. 
Thus the Eskimo’s expression varied somewhat 
with the nature of the subjects which chased each 
other through his mind, while that of the red 
man never changed from the calm of dignified 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 9 

immobility — except, of course, when, as during the 
recent struggle, his life was in- danger. 

While the goose was roasting, the erstwhile foes 
sat down to watch the process. They had not to 
watch long, for the fire was strong and neither of 
them was particular. Indeed, the Eskimo would 
gladly have eaten his portion- raw, but waited 
patiently, out of deference to what he deemed 
his companion’s prejudices. 

“You are* alone?” said the Eskimo interroga- 
tively. 

“ Yes — alone,” returned the Indian. 

To such men, this was-mental food for at least a 
quarter of an hour. By the end of that time one 
side of the bird was sufficiently done. The Indian 
turned the stick on which it was impaled, drew 
his scalping-knife, and commenced on the side 
that was ready while the other side was being 
done. Cheenbuk drew his stone knife, cut a large 
slice of the breast, and also fell to work. They ate 
vigorously, yet the process was not soon over, for 
the goose was large and their appetites were 
strong. Of course they had no time or inclination 
for conversation during the meal. When it was 
finished, the grey goose was reduced to a miserable 
skeleton. Then both men sighed the sigh of- con- 
tentment, wiped their knives on the grass, and 
looked gravely at each other. 

Cheenbuk seemed as if about to speak, but was 


10 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


arrested in his intention by the strange and un- 
accountable ^ proceedings - of his * companion, who 
now drew forth a gaily decorated^ bag which hung 
at his belt behind him. From this he extracted a 
whitish implement with a little bowl at one end, 
and having leisurely filled it with a brown- sub- 
stance, also drawn from the bag, he put the other 
or small end of the instrument between his teeth. 
Then he took up a burning stick and applied it to 
the bowl. 

The Eskimo had been gazing at him with ever- 
widening eyes, but at this his mouth also began 
to open; and he gave vent to a gentle " ho ! ” of 
unutterable-surprise, for immediately there burst 
from the Indian’s lips a puff of, smoke as if 
he had suddenly become a- gun, or fire-spouter, 
and gone off unexpectedly. 

There was profound interest as well as -astonish- 
ment in the gaze of our Eskimo, for he now 
became aware that he was about to witness a 
remarkable- custom of the red men, of which he 
had often heard, but which he had never clearly 
understood. 

“Does it not burn?” he asked in breathless 
curiosity. 

“ No,” replied his friend. 

“ Do you like it ? * Hi — i ! ” 

The exclamation was induced by the Indian, 
who at the moment sent a stream of smoke from 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 11 

each-nostril, shut his eyes as he did so, opened his 
mouth, and otherwise exhibited symptoms of 
extreme- felicity. 

“ Would you like to try it ? ” he asked after one 
or two more whiffs. 

Cheenbuk accepted the offer and the pipe, drew 
a voluminous- whiff down into his lungs and ex- 
ploded in a violent fit of coughing, while the tears 
overflowed his eyes. 

“ Try again,” said the Indian gravely. 

For some minutes the Eskimo found it difficult 
to speak ; then he returned the pipe, saying, 
“No. My inside is- not yet- tough like yours. I 
will look — and -wonder ! ” 

After being admired — with- wonder — for a con- 
siderable time, the Indian looked at his companion 
earnestly, again offered him the pipe, and said, 
“ Try again.” 

The obliging Eskimo tried again, but with the 
caution of a child who, having been burnt, dreads 
the fire. He drew in a little smoke by means of 
the power of inhalation and choked again slightly, 
but, being now on his mettle, he resolved not to 
be beaten. The Indian regarded hinr meanwhile 
with grave approval. Then it occurred to Cheen- 
buk to apply the power of suction instead of 
inhalation. It was - successful. He filled his 
mouth instead of his lungs, and, in his childlike 
delight at the triumph, he opened his mouth to 


12 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


its full extent, and sent forth a cloud with a gasp 
which was the combined expression of a puff 
and a “ ho ! ” Again he tried it, and was again 
successful. Overjoyed at this, like a child with a 
new toy, he went in for quite a* broadside of puffs, 
looking round at his friendly foe with a “ ho ! ” 
between each, and surrounding his head with an 
atmosphere of smoke. 

Suddenly he stopped, laid down the pipe, rose 
up, and, looking as if he had forgotten something, 
retired into the bush. 

The Indian took up the discarded pipe, and for 
the first time displayed a few wrinkles about the 
corners of his eyes as he put it between his lips. 

Presently Cheenbuk returned, somewhat-paler 
than before, and sat down in silence with a look, 
as if of regret, at the skeleton-goose. 

Without any reference to what had passed, the 
Indian turned to his companion and said, “ Why 
should the men of the dee fight with the^men of 
the, woods ? ” 

* Why ? ” asked Cheenbuk, after a few moments’ 
profound meditation, "why should the -men of the 
woods attack the men of the ice with their fire- 
spouters ? ” 

This question seemed to- puzzle the Indian so 
much that he proceeded to fill another pipe before 
answering it. Meanwhile the Eskimo, being more 
active-minded, continued — 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


13 


“ Is it fair for the men of the woods to come to 
fight us with_ fire-spouters when we have only 
spears ?- Meet us with the . same weapons, and 
then we shall see which are the best men.” 

The Indian looked at his companion solemnly 
and shook his head. 

“ The strongest warriors and the- best fighters,” 
he said, “are not always the- best men. He who 
hunts well, keeps his wives supplied with plenty 
of food and deer-skin robes, and is kind to his 
children, is tho-best man.” 

Cheenbuk looked suddenly in the face of his 
sententious companion with earnest surprise in 
every feature, for the sentiments which had just 
been expressed were in exact accordance with his 
own. Moreover, they were not what he expected 
to hear from the lips of a- Dogrib. 

“ I never liked fighting,” he said in a low voice, 
“ though I have always been able to fight. It does 
nobody any good, and it always does everybody 
muck harm, for it loses much blood, and it leaves 
many women and children without food-providers 
— which is uncomfortable for the men who have 
enough of women and children of their own to 
hunt for. But,” continued the youth with em- 
phasis, “I always thought that the- men of the 
woods, loved fighting.” 

“Some of them do, but I hate it!” said the 
Indian with a sudden look of suchx ferocity that 


14 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


the Eskimo might have been justified in doubting 
the truth of the statement. 

The flash, however, quickly disappeared, and a 
double wreath of smoke issued from his nose as 
he remarked quietly, “ Fighting lost me my father, 
my two brothers, and my only son.” 

“ Why, then, do you still come against us with 
fire-spouters ? ” asked Cheenbuk. 

“ Because my people will have it so,” returned 
the red man. “I do what I can to stop them, 
but I am only one, and there are many against 
me.” 

“I too have tried to stop my people when they 
would fight among themselves,” returned the 
Eskimo in a tone of sympathy ; “ but it is easier 
to kill a walrus single-handed than to turn an 
angry man from his purpose.” 

The Indian nodded assent, as though a chord 
had been struck which vibrated in both bosoms. 

“ My son,” he said, in a patronising tone, “ do 
not cease to try. Grey hairs are beginning to 
show upon my head ; I have Seen and learned 
much, and I have come to know that only he who 
tries, and tries, and tries again to do what he 
knows is right will succeed. To him the Great 
Manitou will give his blessing.” 

“ My father,” replied the other, falling in readily 
with the fictitious relationship, “ I will try.” 

Having thus come to a satisfactory agreement, 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


15 


this. Arctic Peace Society prepared ta adjourn. 
Each wiped his knife on the grass and sheathed it 
as he rose up. Then they shook hands again 
after the fashion of the pale-faces, and departed 
on their respective ways. The red man returned 
to the wigwams of his people, while the young 
Eskimo, descending the river in his kayak, con- 
tinued to hunt the- white- whale and pursue the 
feathered tribes which swarmed in the creeks, 
rivulets, and marshes that bordered the ice- 
encumbered waters of the polar seas. 


16 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


CHAPTEK II. 

WARUSKEEK. 

Alas for the hopes and efforts of good men! 
At the very time that Cheenbuk and the 
Indian were expressing their detestation of war, 
elsewhere a young Eskimo was doing his best to 
bring about that unhappy and ruinous condition 
of things. 

He was an unusually strong young Arctic 
swashbuckler, with considerably more muscle than 
brains, a restless spirit, and what may be styled a 
homicidal tendency. He was also- ' tyrannical, like 
many men of that stamp, and belonged to the 
same tribe as Cheenbuk. 

Walrus Creek was the summer residence of the 
tribe of Eskimos to which Cheenbuk belonged. 
It was a narrow inlet which ran up into a small 
island lying some distance off the northern shores 
of America, to discover and coast along which 
has been for so many years the aim and ambition 
of Arctic explorers. How it came by its name is 
not difficult to guess. Probably in ages past 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


17 


some adventurous voyagers, whose names and 
deeds have not been recorded in history, observing 
the numbers of walruses which scrambled out of 
the sea to sun themselves on the cliffs of the 
said creek, had named it^after that animal, and 
the natives had ^adopted the name. Like other 
aborigines they had. garbled it, however, and 
handed it down to posterity as Waruskeek, while 
the walruses, perhaps in order to justify the 
name, had kept up the -custom of their- forefathers, 
and continued to sun themselves there as in 
days of yore. Seals also abounded in the inlet, 
and multitudes of aquatic birds swarmed around 
its cliffs. 

The Eskimo village which had been built there, 
unlike the snow-hut villages of winter, was com- 
posed chiefly of huts made of slabs of- stone, 
intermingled with- moss and clay. It was exceed- 
ing dirty, owing to remnants of blubber, shreds of 
skins, and bones innumerable which were left 
lying about. There might have been about- forty 
of these huts, at the doors of which — or the open- 
ings which served for doors — only women and 
children were congregated at the time we intro- 
duce them to the reader. All the men, with 
the exception of a few ancients, were away 
hunting. 

In the centre of the village there stood a hut 
which was larger and a little cleaner than the 
B 


18 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


others around it. An oldish man with a grey beard 
was seated on a stone bench beside the door. If 
tobacco had been known to the tribe, he would 
probably have been smoking. In default of that 
he was thrown back upon meditation. Apparently 
his meditations were not satisfactory, for he 
frowned portentously once or twice, and shook 
his head. 

“ You are not pleased to-day, Mangivik,” said a 
middle-aged woman who issued from the hut at 
the moment and sat down beside the man. 

“ No, woman, I am not,” he answered shortly. 

Mangivik meant no disrespect by addressing 
his wife thus. “ Woman ” was the- endearing term 
used by. him on all occasions when in communica- 
tion with her. 

“ What troubles you ? Are you hungry ?” 

“No. I have just picked a walrus rib clean. 
It is not that.” 

He pointed, as he spoke, to a huge bone of the 
animal referred to. 

“ No, it is not that,” he repeated. 

“ What then ? Is it something you may not tell 
me ? ” asked the woman in a wheedling tone, as 
she crossed her legs and toyed with th& flap of 
her tail/ 

Lest the civilised reader should be puzzled, we 
may here remark that the costume of the husband 
and wife whom we have* introduced — as, indeed, 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 19 

of most if not all Eskimo men and women — is 
very similar im detail as well as .material. Man- 
givik wore a coat oiLshirt of sealskin with a hood 
to it, and his legs were encased in boots of the 
same material, which were long enough to cover 
nearly the whole of each leg and meet the skirt of 
the coat. The feet of the boots were of tough 
walrus-hide, and there was a short peak to the 
coat behind. The only difference in the costume 
of the- woman was that the- hood of her coat 
was larger, to admit of infants and other things 
being carried in it, and the peak behind was pro- 
longed into a-tail with a broad. flap at the end. 
This tail varied a little in. length according to the 
taste of the wearer — like our ladies’ skirts ; but in 
all cases it was long enough to-trail on the ground 
— perhaps we should say the ace — and, from the 
varied manner in which different individuals 
caused it to sweep behind them, it was evident 
that the- tail, not less than the civilised skirt, 
served the .purpose of jenabling the -wearers to 
display more or l6ss of graceful motion. 

“ There is nothing that I have to, hide from my 
woman,” said the amiable Eskimo, in reply to her 
question. “ Only I am troubled about that jump- 
about man-Gartok.” 

“Has he jDeen Jiere again?” asked the wife, 
with something of a frown on her fat face. “ He 
is just as you say, a jump-about like the little 


20 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


birds that come to us in the hot times, which 
don’t seem to know what they want.” 

“ He is too big to look like them,” returned the 
husband. “ He ’s more like a mad walrus. I met 
him on one of the old floes when I was after a 
seal, and he^ frightened it away. But it is not 
that that troubles me. There are two things he is 
after : he wants to, stir up our young men to go 
and fight with the-Fire-spouters, and he wants 
our*Nootka for a wife.” 

“ The dirty -walrus ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Mangivik, 
with as much vigour as if she had been civilised, 
“he shalK never^ have Nootka. As for fighting 
with the Fire-spouters, I only hope that if he 
does go to do so, he will get killed and never 
come back.” 

“ H’m ! ” grunted Mangivik, “ if he does get 
killed he ’s not likely to come back.” 

“Who is not likely to come back?” asked a 
young girl, with an affectionate expression in her 
pretty brown eyes, issuing from the hut at that 
moment and seating herself close to the old man. 
The girl’s face, on the whole, was unusually pretty 
for that of an Eskimo, and would have been still 
more so but for the. grease with which it was 
besmeared — for the damsel had just been having 
a little refreshment of white-whale blubber. Her 
figure was comparatively slim and graceful, and 
would have been obviously so but for the ill- 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


21 


fitting coat and clumsy boots with which it was 
covered. 

“ Your mother and I were, talking of a bad man, 
Nootka,” said- Mangivik. 

“ Ay, a very very bad man,” exclaimed Mrs. Man- 
givik, with a decided nod of her head. 

“If he is so^very . bad,” returned Nootka, “it 
would be good that he- should never- come back. 
Who is it ? ” 

“ Gartok,” answered her mother, with the air of 
one who has mentioned the most hateful thing in 
creation. 

Nootka laughed. 

“ Surely you are not fond of him ! ” exclaimed 
Mangivik, regarding his daughter with a look of 
anxiety. 

“You know that I’m not,” answered the girl, 
playfully hitting her sire on the back with the 
flap of her tail. 

“Of course not — of course not; you could not 
be fond of an ugly- walrus like him,” said the 
father, replying to her pleasantry by fondly 
patting her- knee. 

Just then a young man was seen advancing 
from the beach, where he had left his kayak. 

“ It is Oolalik,” said Mrs. Mangivik, shading her 
eyes with her hand from the sun, which, in all the 
strength of its meridian splendour, was shining 
full on her fat face. “ He must have made a good 


22 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


hunt, or he would not have come home before the 
others.” 

As she spoke Nootka arose hastily and re- 
entered the hut, from out of which there issued 
almost immediately the, sounds and the savoury 
odours of roasting flesh. 

Meanwhile Oolalik came up and gave vent to 
a polite grunt, or some such, sound, which was 
the Eskimo method of expressing a friendly 
salutation. 

Mangivik and his wife grumped in reply. 

“ You are soon-back,” said the former. 

“ I have left a walrus and two seals on the 
rocks over there,” answered the youth, sitting 
down beside the old man. 

“Good,” returned the latter. “Come in and 
feed.” 

He rose and entered the hut. The young 
man who followed him was not so much a hand- 
some as a strapping fellow, with a quiet, sedate 
expression, and a manly look that rendered him 
attractive to most of his friends. Conversation, 
however, was not one of his strong points. He 
volunteered no remarks after seating himself 
opposite to Nootka, who handed him a walrus 
rib which she had just cooked over the oil lamp. 
Had Nootka been a civilised girl she might have 
been suspected of conveying a suggestion to the 
youth, for she was very -fond of him, but, being 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


23 


an Eskimo of the Far North, she knew nothing 
about ribs or of -Mother Eve. The young- man 
however _ required not delicate- suggestion, for he 
was equally- fond of Nootka, and he endeavoured 
to show his feelings by a prolonged stare after 
he had accepted the food. 

One is irresistibly- impressed with the homo- 
geneity of the- human race when one observes 
the curious- similarities of taste and habit which 
obtain alike in savage and civilised man. For 
a few moments this youth’s feelings were too 
much for him. He stared in admiration at the 
girl, apparently oblivious of the rib, and sighed 
profoundly. Then he suddenly recovered him- 
self, appeared to forget the girl, and applied 
himself tooth and nail to the rib. Could any- 
thing be more natural-^-even in a European 
prince ? 

Nootka did not speak — young women seldom 
do, among vsavages, at least in the company of 
men, — but she looked many and very unutterable 
things, which it is impossible, and would not be 
fair, to translate. 

“Will the others be back soon?” asked Man- 
givik. 

Oolalik looked over the rib and nodded. (In 
this last, also, there was indication of homo- 
geneity.) 

“ Have they got much meat ? ” 


24 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Again the young man nodded. 

“ Good. There is nothing like meat, and plenty 
of it.” 

The old man proceeded to illustrate his belief 
in the sentiment by devoting himself to a steak 
of satisfying dimensions. His better-half mean- 
while took up the conversation. 

“ Is Gartok with them ? ” she asked. 

“Yes, he is with them,” said the youth, who, 
having finished the rib, threw away the bone 
and looked across the lamp at Nootka, as if 
asking for another. The girl had one ready, and 
handed it to him. 

Again Oolalik was- overcome. He forgot the 
food and- stared so that Nootka - dropped her 
eyes, presumably in some . confusion ; but once 
more the force of hunger brought the youth 
round and he resumed his meal. 

“ Has Gartok killed- much ? ” continued the 
inquisitive Mrs. Mangivik. 

“I know-nothing about Gartok,” replied the 
young man, a stern look taking the place of his 
usually kind expression; “I don’t trouble my 
head about him when I am hunting.” 

He fastened his teeth somewhat savagely in 
the second rib at this point. 

“ Do you know,” said Mangivik, pausing in his 
occupation, “that Gartok has been trying to get 
the young men to go to the Whale River, where 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


25 


you know there are plenty-birds and much wood ? 
He wants to. iight with the Fire-spouters 

“ Yes, I know it. Gartok is always for fighting 
and quarrelling. He likes it.” 

“Don’t you think,” said the old man sugges- 
tively, “ that you could give him a chance of 
getting what he likes without going so far from 
home ? ” 

“No, I don’t choose to. fight for the sake of 
pleasing every fool who delights to brag and look 
fierce.” 

Mrs. Mangivik laughed at this, and her daughter 
giggled, but the old man shook his head as if 
he had hoped better things of the young one. 
He said na more, however, and before the con- 
versation was resumed the voice of a boy was 
heard outside. 

“Anteek,” murmured Nootka, with a smile of 
pleasure. 

“The other hunters must have- arrived,” said 
Oolalik, polishing off his last bone, “for Anteek 
was with them.” 

“ He always comes first to see me when he has 
anything to tell,” remarked Mrs. Mangivik, with 
a laugh, “and from the noise he makes I think 
he has something to tell to-day.” 

If noise was the true index of Anteek’s news 
he evidently was brimful, for he advanced shout- 
ing at the top of his voice. With that unaccount- 


26 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


able ingenuity which characterises some boys, 
all the world over, he produced every sort of 
sounds except that which was-' natural to him, 
and caused the surrounding cliffs to echo with 
the mooing of the walrus, the roaring of the polar 
bear, the shriek of the plover, the bellow of the 
musk-ox, and, in short, the varied^ cries of the 
whole " Arctic <menagerie. But he stopped short 
at the door of the hut and looked at Oolalik 
in evident surprise. 

“ You are back -before me ? ” he said. 

“ That is not strange : I am stronger.” 

“ Yes, but I started off long before you.” 

“So you thought, but you were mistaken. I 
saw you creeping away round the point. When 
you were out of sight I carried my kayak over the 
neck of land, and so got before you.” 

“Have you- told ?” asked the boy anxiously. 

“Never said a word,” replied Oolalik. 

“Here,” said Nootka, holding out a piece of 
half-cooked blubber to the boy, “sit down and 
tell us all about it. What is the news ? ” 

“Ha!” exclaimed Anteek, accepting the food 
as if he appreciated it. “ Well, I Ve killed my 
first walrus-^-all alone too ! ” 

“ Clever boy ! how was it ? ” said Mrs. Mangivik. 

“ This was the way. I was out by myself — all 
alone, mind — among the cliffs, looking for eggs; 
but I had my spear with me, the big one that 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


27 


Cheenbuk made for me just before he went off to 
the Whale River. Well, just as I was going to turn 
round one of the cliffs, I caught sight of a walrus 
— a big one^monstrous ; like that,” he said, 
drawing an imaginary circle with both arms, 
“ fat, brown, huge tusks, and wide awake ! I 
knew that because his back was to me, and he was 
turning his head about, looking at something in 
the other direction. I was astonished, for though 
they climb up on the cliffs a good height to sun 
themselves on the warm rocks, I had never seen 
one climb so -high as that. 

“Well, I drew back very quick, and began to 
creep round so as to come at him when he didn’t 
expect me. I soon got close enough, and ran at 
him. He tried to flop away at first, but when I 
was close he turned and looked fierce— terrible 
fierce ! My heart jumped, but it did not sink. I 
aimed for his heart, but just as I was close at him 
my foot struck a stone and I • fell. He gave a 
frightful- roar, and I rolled out of his way, and 
something twisted the spear out of my hand. 
When I jumped up, what do you think ? I found 
the spear had gone into one of his eyes, and that 
made the other one.water I suppose, for he was 
twisting his head about, but couldn’t see me. So 
I caught hold of the spear, pulled it out, and 
plunged it into his, side ; but I had not reached 
the heart, for he turned and made for the sea. 


28 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


There was a steep place just there, and he tumbled 
and rolled down. I lost my. foothold and rolled 
down too — almost into his flippers, but I caught 
hold of a rock. He got hold at the same time 
with his tusks and held on. Then I jumped up 
and gave him the spear again. This time I hit 
the life, and soon had him killed. There ! ” 

On concluding his narrative the excited lad 
applied himself to his yet untasted piece of 
blubber, and Nootka plied him with questions, 
while Oolalik rose and went off to assist his 
comrades, whose voices could now be heard as 
they shouted to the women and children of the 
colony to come and help them tcy carry up the 
meat. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 


29 


CHAPTER III. 

PEACE OR WAR— WHICH? 

Soon afterwards the Mangivik family received 
another visitor. This was the bellicose Gartok 
himself, whose heart had been touched by the 
famNootka. 

Like his-rival, he sat down opposite the maiden, 
and stared at her impressively across the cooking- 
lamp. This would seem to be the usual mode of 
courtship among those children of the ice; but 
the girl’s mode of receiving the attentions of the 
second lover- varied considerably. She did not 
drop her eyes shyly under his gaze, but stared 
him full in the face by way of a slight- rebuff. 
Neither did she prepare for him a savoury rib, so 
that he was obliged to-help himself — which he did 
with much coolness, for the laws of hospitality in 
Eskimo-lancLadmit of such- conduct. 

After some desultory conversation between 
Gartok and his host, the latter asked if it was 
true that there was a talk of the- tribe paying a 
visit to- Whale Kiver. 


30 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ Yes, it is'true,” answered tlie young man. “ I 
came to see you-about that very thing, and to tell 
you that there is to he a meeting outside the big 
hut to-day. We shall want your advice.” 

“ Why do the young men wish to go there ? ” 
asked Mangivik. 

“ To get food, and wood for our spear-handles 
and sledges, and berries, and to have a good time. 
Perhaps also tafight a little with theFire-spouters.” 

The youth glanced furtively at Mangivik as he 
concluded. 

“ To get food, and wood, and berries is good,” 
observed the old man ; “ but why fight with the 
Fire-spouters ? We cannot-conquer them.” 

“ You can ask that at the meeting. It is use- 
less to- ask it of me.” 

“ Good, I will do so. For my part, I am too old 
to go on long expeditions, either to hunt or fight 
— but I can give advice. Is Cheenbuk to be at 
the .meeting ? ” 

“ Did you not know ? Cheenbuk has already 
gone to the Whale River. We only propose to 
follow him. He may not like our business, but 
he 11 have to join us when we are there.” 

Having picked his rib clean, and receiving no 
encouragement from Nootka to remain, Gartok 
rose and departed. 

That afternoon there was a large meeting of the 
heads of families in front of what was known as 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 31 

the big hut. There was no formality about the 
meeting. Unlike thawar councils of the Indians, 
it was assort of free-and-easy, in which blubber 
and other choice kinds of food didr duty for the 
red man’s- pipe. The women too were allowed to 
sit around and listen — but- not to speak — while 
the hunters discussed their plans. 

Gartok, being the- biggest, most -forward, and 
presumptuous -among them all, was. allowed to 
speak first- — -though this was-contrary to the wishes, 
and even the -custom of the tribe. He did not 
make a. set speech. Indeed, no one thought of 
delivering an oration. It was merely a palaver 
on a large scale. 

“We want-spear-handles,” said Gartok, “and 
wood for our kayak-frames, and deer for food, 
as well as birds and rabbit-skins for our under- 
clothing.” 

“ That is true,” remarked one of the elderly men ; 
“ we want all these things, and a great many more 
things, but we^don’ t want fighting. There is no 
use in that.” 

“Ho! ho!” exclaimed several voices in ap- 
proval 

“But we, do- want fighting,” retorted Gartok 
firmly ; “ we want the pretty- coloured things that 
the Fire-spouters -sew on their -clothes and shoes ; 
also the iron- things they have for- cutting wood ; 
and we want the^spouters, which will -make us 


32 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


more than a.match for them in war ; and we can’t 
get all these things without fighting.” 

“Da without them, then,” observed Mangivik 
sharply ; “ why should we want things that we 
never had and don’t need? Listen to me, young 
men — for I see by your- looks that some of you 
would like a little fighting, — even if we had 
the spouting things, we could not make them 
spout.” 

“ That is a lie ! ” exclaimed Gartok, with the 
simple straightforwardness -peculiar to the un- 
civilised. “ Once I met one of the Fire-spouters 
when I was out hunting at the Whale Kiver. He 
was alone, and -friendly. I asked him to show me 
his spouter. He did so, but told me to be very 
careful, for sometimes it spouted of its own accord. 
He showed me the way to make it spout — by 
touching a little thing under it. There was a 
little bird on a bush close by. ‘ Point at that,’ he 
said. I pointed. ‘Now,’ said he, ‘look, along the 
spouter with one eye.’ I put one end of it against 
my cheek and tried to look, but by accident I 
touched the little thing, and it spouted too soon ! 
I never saw the little bird again ; but I saw many 
stars, though it was broad daylight at the time.” 

“ Ho ! hoo ! ” exclaimed several of the younger 
men, who listened to this narration with intense 
eagerness. 

“Yes,” continued Gartok, who had the gift of 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 33 

what is called “ thogab,” and was fond of exercising 
it, — “ yes ; it knocked me flat on my back — ” 

“ Was it alive, then ? ” asked Anteek, who 
mingled that day with the men as an equal, in 
consequence of his having- slain a -walrus single- 
handed. 

“No, it was not quite, but it was very nearly 
alive. — Well, when I fell the man laughed. You 
know his people are not used to laugh. They are 
very grave, but this one- laughed till I became 
angry, and I would have-fought with him, but— ” 

“ Ay,” interrupted Anteek, “ but you were afraid, 
for he had the spouter.” 

Before Gartok could reply Mangivik broke in. 

“ Boo ! ” he exclaimed contemptuously, “ it is of 
no use your talking so much. I too have been to 
the Whale River, and have seen the fire-spouters, 
and I know they are jnot nearly alive. They are 
dead^-quite dead. Moreover, they will not spout 
at all, and are quite, useless, unless they are filled 
with a kind of .black sand which is supplied by 
the white men who sell the spouters. Go to the 
Whale River if you will, but don’t fight with any 
one — that is my^ advice, and my hair is grey.” 

“ It is white, old man, if you only, saw it,” mur- 
mured Anteek, with native, disrespect. He was 
too good-natured, however, to let his thoughts be 
heard. 

“Come, Oolalik,” said Mangivik, “you are a 
C 


34 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


stout and a wise young man, let us hear what you 
have got to say.” 

“ I say,” cried Oolalik, looking round with the 
air of a man who had much in his head, and meant 
to let it out, “ I say that the man who. fights if he 
can avoid it is a -fool ! Look back and think of 
the time .gone away. Not many, cold times have 
passed since our . young men became -puffed up — 
indeed, some of our-old men weredittle better— and 
made a raid on the JFire-spouters of the Whale Kiver. 
They met ; there was a bloody -fight ; six of our 
best youths were killed, and numbers were 
wounded by the little - things that come out of 
the spouters. Then they- came home, and what 
did they bring? what had they gained? I was 
a boy at the time and did not understand it all ; 
but I understood some of it. I saw the fighters 
returning. Some were looking very- big and bold, 
as if they had just come from fighting and con- 
quering a whole tribe of- bears and walruses. 
Others came back limping. They went out young 
and strong men; they came back too soon old, 
helped along by their companions. Two were 
carried — they could not walk at all. Look at 
them now!” 

Oolalik paused and directed attention to what 
may be called an object-lesson — two men seated 
on his right hand. Both,- although in the prime 
of life, looked feeble and prematurely ^old from 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 35 

wounds received in the fight referred to. One 
had been shot in the leg ; the bone was broken, 
and that rendered him a. cripple for life. The 
other had received a bullet in the lungs; and a 
constitution which was naturally magnificent had 
become permanently- shattered. 

“ What do you think?” continued Oolalik. 
“Would not these men give much to get back 
their old strength and health ? ” 

He paused again, and the men referred to 
nodded emphatically, as if they- thought the 
question a very . appropriate one, while some of 
the peacefully disposed in the assembly exclaimed 
“ ho ! ” and ^hoo ! ” in tones of approval. 

“Then,” continued the speaker, “I passed by 
some of our huts and heard sounds of bitter weep- 
ing. I went in and found it was the wives and 
sisters of the- men whose bodies lie on the banks 
of the Whale River. There would be reason in 
fighting, if we had to defend our huts against the 
Fire-spouters. Self-defence is right; and every 
one has a good word for the brave men who 
defend their homes, their women, and their 
children. But the Fire-spouters did not want to 
fight, and the men who lost their lives at the fight 
I am speaking of threw, them away for nothing. 
They will never more come home to provide their 
families with food and clothes, or to comfort them, 
or to play with the children and tell them of fights 


36 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


with the walrus and the bear when the nights are 
black and long. Most of those poor women had 
sons on man-relations to care for them, but there 
was one who had no relation to hunt for her after 
her husband was killed — only a little daughter to 
take care of her. I speak of old Uleeta, who is — ” 

“ That is a lie ! ” cried Gartok, springing up and 
looking fierce. “ Old Uleeta is, as you all know, my 
mother. She had me to hunt for her when father 
was killed, and she has me still.” 

“You! ” exclaimed Oolalik, with a look of scorn, 
“ what are. you ? A hunter ? No, only a^fool who 
wants to be thought very brave, and would leave 
his mother and sister to the care of old men and 
boys while he goes away to fight with the Fire- 
spouters ! No,” he continued, turning away from 
the angry young man with cool contempt, “old 
Uleeta has na son.” 

Gartok was so taken aback with this behaviour 
of Oolalik, who was recognised as one of the 
gentlest and most peacefully disposed of the tribe, 
that he stood gaping for a moment in surprise. 
Then, observing the half-amused, half-contemp- 
tuous looks of the men around him, he suddenly 
caught up the unfinished handle of a spear that 
leaned against the wall of the hut beside him, and 
made a desperate blow with it at the head of 
Oolalik. 

But that youth had expected some such demon- 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 37 

stration, and was prepared for it. Being very agile, 
he made a stepjswiftly to one side, and the handle 
came down on the skull of a walrus which hung 
on the wall with a violence that would have sur- 
prised its original owner had it been within. 

Before the blow could be repeated Oolalik sprang 
towards his assailant. 

Eskimos know, nothing of a blow “ straight from 
the shoulder,” but they know how to cuff. Oolalik 
brought his open hand down on, Gartok’s cheek 
with a pistol-shot crack that tumbled that fire- 
eater head over heels on the ground. 

The man was too strong, however, to be knocked 
insensible in that way. He recovered himself, 
sitting-wise, with his mouth agape and his eyes 
astonied/ while the whole assembly burst into a 
hearty fit of laughter. High above the • rest was 
heard the juvenile voice of the delighted Anteek. 

What the fire-eater thought we cannot tell, but 
he had the wisdom to accept his. punishment in 
silence, and listened with apparent interest while 
Oolalik concluded his. remarks. 

The effect of this belligerent episode was to 
advance the. cause of the peace party considerably 
— at least for time — and when the meeting 
broke up, most of the people returned to their 
various homes with a firm, determination ta leave 
the poor Fire-spouters- alone. 

But Gartok, who was still-smarting under the 


38 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


disgrace to which he had been subjected at the 
hands of Oolalik, managed to rekindle and blow 
up the war-spirit, so that, two days later, a strong 
party of the more pugnacious among the young men 
of the tribe set off in their kayaks for the Whale 
River, taking with them a few of the women in one 
of their open boats or oomiaks — chiefly for the 
purpose of keeping their garments in repair. 





A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 


39 


CHAPTER IV. 

WAR PREVAILS. 

It would seem, at times, as if there were really 
some sort of spirituals communication between 
people whose physical frames are widely, sun- 
dered. 

For at the very time that the Eskimos, in their 
remote home on the ice-encumberecL sea, were 
informally debating the propriety of. making an 
unprovoked attack on the Dogrib Indians — whom 
they facetiously styled Fire-spouters^the red men 
were also holding a very formal and solemn 
council of -Avar as to the advisability of making 
an assault on those presumptuous- Eskimos, or 
eaters-of-raw-flesh^who ventured to pay an un- 
called-for visit to the- Greygoose River — their 
ancestral property^-every spring. 

One of their chiefs, named Nazinred, had just 
returned from a visit to the river, and reported 
having met and fought with one of the Eskimos. 

Immediately on hearing this, the old or head 

chief summoned the council of war. The braves' 

/ 


40 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


assembled in the council tent in solemn dignity, 
each classically enveloped in his blanket or 
leathern robe, and inflated, more or less, with 
his own importance. They sat down silently 
round the council fire with as much gravity as 
if the fate of nations depended on their delibera- 
tions, -^and so, on a small scale, it. did. 

After passing round the pipe — by way of 
brightening up their intellects — the old chief 
held forth his hand and began in a low voice 
and deliberate manner : — 

“ My braves,” said he, “ those filthy^ eaters- 
of-raw-flesh have, as you know^ been in the 
habit of coming to Greygoose River every spring 
and . trespassing on the borders of-our hunting- 
grounds.” 

He paused and looked round. 

“ Waugh ! ” exclaimed his audience, in order to 
satisfy him. 

With a dark frown the old chief went on : — 

“ This is wrong. It is not right. It is altogether 
unbearable, and more than the Dogribs can stand. 
They -won’t stand it ! ” 

“Waugh!” again said the audience, for the 
old man had delivered theJast sentence with con- 
siderable vehemence, and meant that it should tell. 

Being apparently destitute of a flow of ideas at 
that time, the speaker had recourse to a not 
uncommon device among^civilised orators : he 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


41 


cleared his throat, looked preternaturally wise, and 
changed the- subject. 

“ When the sun of spring rises over the ice-hills 
of the great salt lake,” he continued, pointing 
towards the Pole, “ when it melts the snow, opens 
the lakes and rivers, and brings the summer birds 
to our land, the braves of the great Dogrib nation 
take their guns, and bows, and canoes, and women, 
and travel nearly as far as the icy sea, that they 
may hunt and feed-— and— sleep, and — and — enjoy 
the land. Nobody dares to stop us. Nobody dares 
to hinder us. Nobody dares even to look at us !” 

He paused again, and this flight of oratory was 
received with a very decided, “ ho ! ” of assent, as it 
well might be, for during nearly all the year 
there was . nobody in that uninhabited land to 
attempt any of those violent proceedings. Dilat- 
ing his eyes and nostrils with a look of super- 
lative wisdom, he .continued : — 

‘"But at last the Eskimos dared ter come and 
look at our ^hunting-grounds. We were peace- 
fully disposed. We warned them not to come 
again. They came again- notwithstanding. We 
took our guns and swept them, away like leaves 
that are swept by the winter winds. Are not 
their _ scalps --drying in our lodges? What we 
did then we will do again. Has not one of 
our chiefs^Nazinred — been attacked by one of 
them ? No doubt more will-follow that one. My 


42 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


counsel is to send out a band of our braves on 
the war-path. But first we would like to know 
something. As the -Eskimo did not- take the 
scalp of Nazinred, how is it that Nazinred did 
not bring home the scalp of the Eskimo ? ” 

The old chief ceased, amid many “ ho’s ! ” and 
“ hoo’s ! ” with the air of one who has propounded 
an unanswerable- riddle, and all eyes were at 
once turned upon Nazinred. Accepting the 
challenge at once he stretched forth his hand : — 

“ My father has spoken,” he said, “ but his 
words are not the words of wisdom. Why should 
weight the Eskimos again, and lose some of our 
best young men, as we lost them in the last great 
fight ? The Eskimos have come near our lands, 
but they have not of late hunted on them. They 
have only looked and gone away. And even if 
they did hunt,- what then ? The land is wide. 
We cannot use it all. We cannot kill all the birds 
and deer, and even if we could we cannot eat 
them all. Would it not be wise to live itt peace 
with the Eskimos ? They have many great teeth 
of the walrus and skins of the seal. Might not 
the white traders, who take our furs and give us 
guns and powder, be willing to take these things 
too ? Thus we could buy from the one and sell 
to the other, and fill our, lodges with tobacco, 
and guns, and beads, and cloth, and powder and 
ball, and other good things.” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 43 

The Indian stopped at this point to ascertain 
the effect of his remarks, but only a few faint 
“ ho’s ! ” greeted him. The . councillors did not 
feel quite sure of their own minds. His remarks 
about peace and war were not palatable, and his 
suggestions about trade were a novelty. Evidently 
Nazinred was born much in advance of his time. 

“ It is true,” he continued, “ that I had a struggle 
with a young Eskimo; but he was very strong, 
and so was I. Before I could kill him he caught 
hold of my gun, but he could not force it from 
me, and I could not. force it from him. As we 
strove we looked into each other’s eyes and 
we each saw .peace and good-will there! So we 
ceased to fight. We kindled a fire and sat down 
and -fed together. As the light slowly increases 
while the sun rises, so light* came into my mind. 
The Dogribs have always. .talked of the Eskimos 
as if they were. fools. I found that this young 
man was not a fool — that he was wise^wiser than 
some of our own braves. His mind was deep 
and wide. He did not talk only of food and 
sleep and hunting. He spoke of Things past and 
present and future, and of the- Great Spirit, 
and the world, to<cofne. Also of .peace and war ; 
and we both agreed that peace was. good and war 
hateful. More than that, we found that it was 
foolish. Then we parted. He went, I suppose, 
to his people on the sea of ice, and I came home. 


44 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


He told me that none of his people were with 
him — that he was* alone. There is therefore no 
occasion for the young men to look fierce or go 
on the war-path.” 

Having thus tried to throw oil on the troubled 
waters Nazinred came to an abrupt pause. 

Instantly one of the younger councillors, named 
Magadan sprang to his feet. He was unusually 
excitable for an Indian. Indeed, he differed a 
good deal from his companions in other respects, 
being passionate; impulsive, hasty, and matter-of- 
fact ; in his speech-making too he scorned the use 
of symbol and metaphor, but went straight to the 
point at once in the simplest and most forcible 
language at his command. 

“Braves,” he said, looking at the previous 
speaker with a dark frown, “ the Dogribs know 
nothing of those, strange and stupids notions that 
have just come out of the lips of Nazinred. He 
says that this dirty Eskimo is a deep thinker and 
a man who loves peace. How does he know 
that one of that sort may not think so deeply 
as to deceive him? How does he know that 
the young man is not a liar^that many of his 
warriors may not be in ourr hunting-grounds even 
at this moment, though he says there are none ? 
As for his talk about the- Great Spirit and the 
future, what does he. know about either the one 
or the other? Is he wiser than the Dogribs? 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


45 


Does his attack on JNazinred look like a lover of 
peace ? His leaving off when he.- found that 
N azinred was his -match seems to me more like 
sly wisdom than thediatred of war. My advice is 
not to trust these -dirty men of the_ice, but to take 
our guns at: once and drive-them from the land.” 

It was quite evident from the way in which 
this speech was received that the- war party was 
in the ^ascendant, and there is no -doubt that 
Magadar’s advice would have . prevailed, and a 
war party been organised- forthwith, but for the 
arrival of a band of successful hunters, who had 
been out for some time in quest of food. 

For a considerable part of that winter those 
Indians had been in a condition of semi-starvation. 
They had managed with difficulty to sustain 
themselves and families on rabbits, which were 
scarce that year. With the return of spring and 
the wild-fowl, however, things had begun to im- 
prove, and the hunting party above referred to 
was the first of the season that had returned to 
camp heavily laden with geese, ducks, plover, and 
other supplies of food, so that the half-famished 
people gave themselves up to feasting, and had 
no time to think further of war. 

Thus many days were passed without any 
reference being made to a fight with the Eskimos, 
and Nazinred, believing that the fancy to go on 
the war-path had passed away, set off on what 


46 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


was to be a long bunting expedition with three 
of his comrades who were like-minded with him- 
self. Among other plans, this party intended to 
visit the establishment of the fur-traders on Great 
Bear Lake. 

Thus when the belligerent party of Eskimos 
arrived at the mouth of Greygoose, or Whale, 
River, they found the place, as they had been 
accustomed to find it, a complete -solitude. 

At first they expected to overtake their comrade 
Cheenbuk there, but he was not found, having gone 
a considerable way inland in pursuit of game. 
Being aware of his peaceful proclivities, however, 
the Eskimos were not sorry to miss him, and they 
set about making an encampment on the shore at 
the mouth of the river, intending to leave the 
women there while they should be engaged in 
hunting and in searching for the Fire-spouters. 

Meanwhile these Fire-spouters, having eaten and 
slept, and eaten and slept again, to the extent of 
their capacities, began to experience a revival of 
the war-spirit. 

In front of one of the lodges or leather tents, one 
morning early, there sat two squaws engaged in 
ornamenting moccasins and discussing the news 
of their little world. 

It was one of those bright genial mornings in 
spring peculiar to Arctic lands, in which Warmth 
comes out with a burst victorious, and Cold shrinks 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


47 


away discomfited. Everything looked as if a 
great revival of-Nature were at hand — as in truth 
it was, for the long Arctic winter is always driven 
away with a rush by the vigour, if not the violence, 
of the brief- Arctic spring. 

One of the women was young and pretty — yes, 
we might almost say beautiful. It is quite a mis- 
take to suppose that all savages are coarse, rough, 
and ugly. Many of them, no doubt — perhaps 
most of them — are plain enough, but not a few ol 
the Indian squaws are fairly good-looking, and this 
one, as we have said at the risk of being doubted, 
was^beautiful ; at all events she had a fine oval 
face, a smooth warm-coloured skin, a neat little 
nose, a well-formed mouth, and jet-black hair, with 
large lustrous eyes, to say nothing of her teeth, 
which, like the teeth of most Indians, were regular 
and brilliantly white. Her name was Adolay^-that 
being the Indian name for^Summer. 

The other squaw was her- mother. She was 
usually styled Isquay — which means woman — by 
her husband when he was at home, but, being a 
great hunter, he was not- often at home. Poor 
Isquay might have been good-looking in her youth, 
but, alas ! hard work, occasional starvation, and a 
rough life, had prematurely dissipated her beauty, 
whatever it might have been; yet these condi- 
tions could not put to flight the lines and dimples 
of kindliness which played about her weatherworn 


48 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


eyes and cheeks. You see, she had a gentle, 
indulgent husband, and that made her happy and 
kept her so. 

“ Magadar is stirring up the young men again to 
go on the war-path,” said the younger woman, 
without looking up from the embroidered moccasin 
with which she was engaged. 

“ Yes, I know it. I heard him as he passed our 
tent talking to Alizay. I don’t like Alizay ; he is 
like gunpowder: the least thing sets him off, and 
he flashes up horribly.” 

“ But many of our other braves have no desire 
to quarrel with the Eskimos,” said Adolay; “indeed, 
some are even fond of them. And some of the 
men of the ice are very handsome. Don’t you 
remember that one, mother, that we met when we 
went last spring with some of our men to shoot at 
the Greygoose River ? He was a fine man — big 
and strong, and active and kind^-almost good 
enough to be a Dogrib.” 

“ I remember him well,” returned Isquay, “for he 
saved my life. Have you forgotten that already ?” 

“ No, I have not forgotten it,” answered the girl, 
with a slight smile. “ Did I not stand on the river- 
bank with my heart choking me when I saw the 
ice rushing down with the flood and closing on 
your canoe — for I could do nothing to help you, 
and none of our men were near ! And did I not see 
the brave man of the ice, when he heard my cry, 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 49 

come running like the deer and jump into the river 
and swim like the otter till he got to you, and then 
he scrambled on a big bit of ice and lifted you and 
the canoe out of the water as if he had the strength 
of a moose-deer, after which he guided the ice-lump 
to the bank with one of your paddles ! Forget it ! 
no. I only wish the brave-Eskimo was an Indian.” 

“ I think you would be offering to be his squaw 
if he was,” said the mother with a short laugh. 

“Perhaps I would. But he’s only an eater- of- 
raw-flesh ! ” Adolay sighed as gently as if she had 
been a_ civilised girl ! “But he has gone away to 
the great ice lake, so I suppose we shall never see 
him again.” 

“ Unless,” said Isquay, “ he comes., back this 
spring with his people, and our braves have a fight 
with them — then you would be likely to see his 
scalp again, if not himself.” 

Adolay made no reply to this ; neither did she 
seerm shocked at the suggestion. Indeed-; Indian 
women are too much accustomed to real shocking 
to be much troubled with-shocks of the imagination. 
Holding out her moccasin at arm’s-length, the 
better to note the effect of her work, she expressed 
regret that her father had gone off* with the hunters, 
for she felt sure he would have been able to allay 
the war-fever among the young braves if he had 
remained at home. 

“ Ay, he would easily have put down Alizay and 
D 


50 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Magadar; but the old chief can do-nothing, he 
is growing too old. The young men don’t mind 
him now. Besides, he is warlike as well as they.” 

While they were conversing thus, the young men 
referred to had finally decided to go on the war- 
path — to search for the Eskimo who had fought 
with their chief Nazinred, find him and kill him, 
and then continue the search for his companions ; 
for they had set him down as a liar, believing 
that no Eskimo had the courage to visit their 
hunting-grounds by himself. 

To resolve and to act were almost simultaneous 
proceedings with those energetic savages. In a 
very short time between twenty and thirty of them 
left the village in single file, armed with the 
deadly gun, besides tomahawks and scalping-knives, 
and took their way to a, neighbouring creek on the 
banks of which their canoes were lying. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 


51 


CHAPTER V. 

A RENCONTRE AND FLIGHT. 

Thus it naturally came to. pass that the two 
bands of men who had gone to the .same place to 
meet each other jmet in the course of time. 

There was a good deal of wandering about, how- 
ever, before the actual-meeting took place, for the 
Eskimos had to- provide a~ quantity of food on 
landing on th§ Arctic shore, not only for themselves, 
but to supply the. four women who had accom- 
panied them, and were to be left on the coast to 
fish and mend their- spare garments and boots, 
and await their return. 

“We shall not be long of coming back,” said 
Gartok as he was about to . leave his mother, old 
Uleeta, who was in the .crew of one of the oomiaks. 

“ I wish I saw you ^safe. back, my son,” returned 
the woman, with a shake of her head, “ but I fear 
the-Fire-spouters.” 

“ I don’t fear them,” returned the young man 
boastfully, “and it does not matter much what 
you fear.” 


52 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ He will never come back/’ said one of the other 
women when he was gone. “ I know that because 
I feel it. There is something inside of me that 
always tells me when there is- going to be 
misfortune.” 

The woman who thus expressed her forebodings 
was a mild young creature, so gentle and inoffensive 
and yielding that she was known throughout 
her tribe by the name of Rinka, a name which 
was meant to imply ^weakness. Her weakness, 
however, consisted chiefly in a, tendency to prefer 
others before herself — in which matter Christians 
do not need to be told that she was perhaps the 
strongest of all her-kin. 

As the weather was comparatively- warm, the 
women contented themselves with a^tent or bower 
of boughs for their protection. They were not 
long in erecting it, being well accustomed to look 
after themselves. In less than an hour after their 
men had left them they wereJbusy with seal-steaks 
over the cooking-lamp, and the place was rendered 
somewhat home-like by several fur garments being 
spread on the rocks to dry. 

“Yes, Gartok will get himself killed at last,” 
said old JJleeta, drawing her finger across the 
frizzling steak and licking it, for her appetite was 
sharp-set and she was impatient. “ He was always 
a stubborn boy.” 

“ But he is strong, and a good fighter,” remarked 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 53 

Rinka, as she spread a sealskin boot over her knee 
with the intention of patching it. 

“ I wish all the other men were as -strong as he 
is, and ready to fight/' said one of the other women, 
giving the steak a turn. 

It must not be supposed that, although the 
Eskimos are known to their Indian friends — or 
foes — as ' eaters-of-raw-flesh, they always- prefer 
their food in the raw condition. They are only 
indifferent on the point, when the procuring of 
fire is difficult, or the ^coldness of the weather 
renders it advisable to eat the flesh raw, as being 
more sustaining. 

“ I only wish that they would not fight at all,” 
said -Rinka with a sigh, as she arranged the top- 
knot of her hair. “It makes the men too few 
and the women too - many, and that is not 
good.” 

The fourth woman did not- express an opinion 
at all. She was one of those -curiously, if not 
happily, -constituted creatures, who seem to have 
no particular opinion on. any subject, who listen 
to everything with a smile of placid content, who 
agree with: everybody and obj ect to -nothing. They 
are a sort of comfort and -relief in a world of war- 
fare — especially to the obstinate and the positive. 
Her name wasjCowlik. 

“There is no reason why we should continue 
to roast our seal-meat over a lamp now,” observed 


54 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


old Uleeta. “ There is plenty of wood here. Come, 
we will gather sticks and make a fire.” 

The others agreeing to this, three of them rose 
and went into the bush, leaving Cowlik to watch 
the steaks. 

Meanwhile the young men who had followed 
the lead of Gartok-^fifteen in number — were 
cautiously ascending the .-Greygoose River, each in 
his kayak, armed with a throwing-spear, lance, and 
bow. One of their number was sent out in 
advance as a scout. Raventik was his name. 
He was chosen for the duty because of his bold, 
reckless nature, sharpness ofi vision, general intel- 
ligence, and his well-known love for excitement 
and danger. 

“You will always keep well out of sight in 
advance of us,” said Gartok to this scout, “and 
the first sight you get of thaFire-spouters, shove 
in to some quiet place, land, haul up your kayak, 
and creep near them through the bushes as quietly 
and cleverly as if you were creeping up to a bear 
or a walrus. Then come back and tell us what 
you have seen. So — we will land and attack them 
and throw them all into the river.” 

“ I will do my best,” answered Raventik gravely. 

“ It is not likely,” added Gartok, “ that you will 
find them to-day, for they seldom come down as 
far as here, and they don’t know we are coming.” 

The scout made no reply. Having received his 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


55 


orders he stepped into his kayak and paddled off 
into the stream, against which he made but slow 
progress, however, for the river happened to be con- 
siderably swollen at the time. He was also impeded 
at first by his comparative ignorance of river navi- 
gation. Being accustomed to the currentless waters 
of the ocean, he was not prepared by experience to 
cope with the difficulty of rushing currents. He 
went too far out into the stream at first, and was 
nearly upset. Natural intelligence, however, and 
the remembrance of talks to which he had listened 
between men of his tribe who had already visited 
the place, taught him to keep close in to the banks, 
and make as much^use ofLeddies and. backwater 
as possible. The double-bladed .paddle hampered 
him somewhat, as its great length, which was no 
disadvantage in the open sea, prevented him from 
keeping as close to the banks as he desired. De- 
spite these v drawbacks, however, Raventik soon 
acquired sufficient skill, and in a short time a 
curve in the river hid him from the flotilla which 
followed him. 

Now it so happened that the Indians who were 
supposed to be a considerable distance inland were 
in reality not many miles from the spot where the 
Eskimos had held their final conference, which 
ended in- Raventik being sent off in advance. It 
was natural that, accustomed as they were to all 
the arts of woodcraft, they should discover the 


56 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


presence 6f the scout long before he discovered 
them ; and so in truth it turned out. 

The Indians had ten birch-bark canoes, with 
three warriors in most of them — all armed, as we 
have said, with the dreaded fire-spouters and 
tomahawks, etc. — for, as they were out on the 
war-path for the express purpose of driving the 
dirty Eskimos off their lands, Magadar had 
resolved to make sure by starting with a strong 
and well-equipped force. 

Of course Magadar’s canoe led the van ; the 
others followed in single file, and, owing to the 
nature of their paddles, which were single-bladed, 
and could be dipped close to the sides of the 
canoes, they were able to creep along much nearer 
to the bank than was possible to the kayaks. 

At a bend in the river, where a bush-covered 
point jutted out into a large pool, Magadar thrust 
his canoe in among some reeds and landed to 
reconnoitre. Scarcely had he raised his head above 
the shrubs when he caught sight of ftaventik in 
his kayak. 

To stoop and retire was the work of a few 
seconds. The men in the other canoes, who were 
watching him intently, at once- disembarked, and, 
at a signal from their chief, carried their light barks 
into the bushes and hid them- there, so that the 
Eskimo scout would certainly have passed the 
place in half an hour without perceiving any sign 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 57 

of his foes, but for an incident which enlightened 
him. 

Accidents will happen even in the best- regu- 
lated families, whether these be composed of red 
men or white. Just as the last canoe was dis- 
appearing behind its leafy screen, one of the 
young braves, who was guilty of the unpardonable 
offence of carrying his gun on full-cock, chanced to 
touch the trigger, and the piece exploded with, 
in the circumstances, an appalling report, which, 
not satisfied with sounding in the ears of his ex- 
asperated comrades like a small cannon, went on 
echoing from cliff to cliff, as if in hilarious dis- 
regard of secrecy, and to the horror of innumerable 
rabbits and- wild-fowl, which respectively dived 
trembling into holes or took to the- wings of 
terror. 

“Fool!” exclaimed Magadar, scarce- able to re- 
frain from tomahawking the brave in his wrath — 
“ launch the canoes and give chase.” 

The order was- obeyed at once, and the flotilla 
dashed out into the stream. 

But Baventik was not to be. caught so easily as 
they had, expected. He had turned on hearing 
the report, and swept out into tha middle of the 
river, so as to get the full benefit of the current. 
His kayak, too, with its sharp form, was of better 
build and material for making headway than the 
light Indian canoes — propelled as it was with the 


58 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


long double-bladed paddle in the strong hands of 
one of the stoutest of the Eskimos. He shot down 
the stream at a rate which soon began to leave the 
Indians behind. 

Seeing this, Magadar laid aside his paddle for a 
moment, raised his gun to his shoulder, and fired. 

Again were the echoes and the denizens of the 
woods disturbed, and two other Indians fired, thus 
rendering confusion worse- confounded. Their aims 
were not good, however, and Raven tik was interested 
and surprised — though not alarmed — by the whiz- 
zing sounds that seemed close to his ears, and the 
little splashes in the water just ahead of him. 
Fortunately a bend in the river here concealed him 
for some time from the Indians, and when they 
once more came in sight of him he was almost out 
of range. 

In the meantime his^ comrades, amazed by the 
strange sounds that burst on their ears, put 
hastily on shore, carried their kayaks into the 
bushes, and climbed to the summit of a rising 
ground, with the double purpose of observing the 
surrounding country and of making it a place of 
defence if need be. 

“ Raven tik must have -found our enemies,” said 
Gartok to Ondikik, his lieutenant, as he led his 
men up the slope. 

“ That is certain,” returned Ondikik, “ and from 
the noise they are making, I think the' Fire- 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


59 


spouters are many. But this is a good place to 
fight them.” 

“ Yes, we will wait here,” said Gartok. 

As he spoke Raventik was seem, sweeping into 
view from behind a point in the middle of the 
most rapid part of the river, and plying his long 
paddle with the intense energy of one whose life 
depends on his -exertions. The Eskimos on the 
knoll gazed in breathless anxiety. A few minutes 
later the canoe of Magadar swept into view. 

“ The-Fire-spouters ! ” exclaimed Ondikik. 

“ Three- men in it ! ” cried Gartok. Then, as 
one after another of the^ canoes came into view, 
“ Four ! six ! Jen of them, and Three men in each ! ” 

“And all with fire-spouters ! ” gasped the lieu- 
tenant. 

“ Come,” exclaimed Gartok, “ it is .time for us to 
go!” 

The Eskimos were by no means cowardly, but 
when they saw that the approaching foe was 
double their number, and reflected that there 
might be more behind them, all armed with guns, 
it was no wonder that they bethought themselves 
of .retreat. To do them full- credit, they did not 
move until their leader gave the word — then they 
sprang down the hillock, and in three minutes 
more were- out in their kayaks making for the 
mouth of the river at their utmost speed. 

On seeing this the Indians uttered a wild-war- 


60 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


whoop and fired a volley. But the distance 
between them was too. great. Only a few of the 
balls reached the fugitives, and went skipping over 
the water, each wide of its mark. 

“ Point high,” said Magadar to Alizay, who had 
just re-charged his gun. 

The Indian obeyed, fired, and watched for the 
result, but no visible result followed. 

“That is strange,” muttered the chief; “my 
brother must have pointed too high — so high 
that it has gone into the sun, for I never yet saw 
a bullet fired over water without coming down 
and making a splash.” 

“ It may have hit a canoe,” said Alizay. “ I will 
try again.” 

The second shot was, to all appearance, not 
more effective than the first. 

“ Perhaps my brother forgot to put in the 
balls.” 

“ Is Alizay a squaw ? ” asked the insulted brave 
angrily. 

Magadar thought it wise to make no answer 
to this question, and in a dew seconds more the 
kayaks doubled round a point that jutted into the 
stream and were hid from view. 

But the two bullets had not- missed their 
billets. One — the first fired — had dropped into 
Gartok’s canoe and buried itself in his left 
thigh. With the stoicism of a bold hunter, how- 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


61 


ever, he uttered no cry, but continued to wield his 
paddle as well as he. could. The other ball had 
pierced the back of his lieutenant Ondikik. He 
also, with the courage of a. savage warrior, gave 
no sign at first that he was wounded. 

At this point, where the Eskimos were for a time 
sheltered by the -formation of the land, the Grey- 
goose River had a double or horse-shoe bend ; and 
the Indians, who knew the lie of the land well, 
thought it better to put ashore and run quickly 
over a neck of. land in the hope of heading the 
kayaks before they reached the sea. Acting on 
this belief they thrust their canoes in among the 
reeds/and, leaping on shore, darted into the bushes. 

The Eskimos, meanwhile, knowing that they 
could beat the Indians at paddling, and that the 
next bend in the stream would reveal to them a 
view of the open sea, kept driving ahead with all 
the force of their stout arms. They also knew 
that the firing would have alarmed their women 
and induced them to . embark in their oomiak, 
push off to sea, and await them. 

And this would have . turned out as they had 
expected, but for an unforeseen event which 
delayed the women in their operations until too 
late — at least for one of the party. 


62 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


CHAPTER VI. 

A SURPRISE, A STRUGGLE, AND A CAPTURE. 

When the Eskimo women, as before related, 
made up their minds to discard tho cooking-lamp 
and indulge in the ^luxury of a wood fire, they 
sent one of their number into the bush 4o gather 
sticks. The one selected for this duty was Rinka, 
she being active and willing, besides being 
intelligent, which last was a matter of importance 
in one totally unaccustomed to traversing the 
pathless woods. 

The girl obeyed orders at once, and soon had 
collected a large armful of dried branches, with 
which she prepared to return to the encampment. 
But when she looked up at the smalKtrees by 
which she was surrounded, she felt considerably 
puzzled as to the direction in which she ought to 
walk. Of course, remembering that her back 
had been toward the sea when she set out, 
nothing seemed simpler than to turn round with 
her face towards it and proceed. But she had not 
done this for many minutes, when it occurred to 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


63 


her that she must have turned about, more or 
less, several, times, during her outward journey. 
This brought her to an abrupt halt. She looked 
up and around - several times, and then, feeling 
quite sure that the shore must lie in a. certain 
direction pointed out by Hope, set off in that 
direction at a good round pace. As the wood 
seemed to get thicker, however, she concluded that 
she was wrong, and changed direction again. 
Still the undergrowth became more dense, and 
then, suddenly coming to the conclusion that she 
was lost, sho_stood stock-still and dropped her 
bundle of sticks in .dismay. 

For a few moments she was stunned, as if her 
position were , unbelievable. Then she became 
horrified and shouted to her companions, but her 
feeble,, unassertive voice was unable to travel far, 
and drew forth no -response. Indeed, she had 
wandered so far into the- forest that, even if 
possessed of a man’s voice, she might have failed 
to attract the attention of the women. Then the 
sound of distant firing began to salute her ears, 
and in an agony of anxiety she ran hither and 
thither almost blindly. 

But there were otherjears besides those of Rinka 
which were startled by the guns. 

Sitting under a tree— all ignorant of the pre- 
sence of his brethren or.of the warlike Indians — 
Cheenbuk was regaling himself on the carcass of 


64 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


a fat willow-grouse which he had speared a little 
before the firing began. 

Our Eskimo was making for the coast where he 
had left his kayak, and had halted for a feed. 
The sport in the woods, after its novelty wore off, 
had lost interest for one whose natural game, so 
to speak, was bears and walruses, and he was on 
his way back when this rattle of musketry arrested 
him. 

The sudden eruption of it was not more puzzling 
to him than its abrupt cessation. Could it be 
that some of his tribe had followed him to the 
river and fallen in with the men of the woods? 
He thought it not unlikely, and that, if so, his 
assistance, either as fighter or peacemaker, might 
be required. 

Bolting the remainder of the willow-grouse pre- 
cipitately, he jumped up, grasped his weapons, and 
made for the coast, as near as he could guess, in 
the direction of the firing. 

It happened, at the same time, that one of the 
young Indians, who was on his first war-path, and 
thirsted for scalps as well as distinction, chanced 
to keep a more easterly direction than his fellows, 
when they took to the bush, as already related. 
This man, coming to an open glade whence he 
could see the shore, beheld the Eskimo women 
launching their oomiak in a state of frantic alarm. 
They were also signalling or beckoning^ eagerly as 




RINK A PROSTRATE ON THE GROUND.— Page 65 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 65 

if to someone in the woods. Casting a hurried 
glance to his right, he observed poor Rinka, who 
had just got clear of the forest, and was running 
towards her companions as fast as her short legs 
could carry her. 

Without a moment’s hesitation, he took aim at 
her and fired. The poor girl uttered a loud shriek, 
threw up her arms, and fell to the ground. It 
chanced that Cheenbuk was within a hundred 
yards of the spot at the moment, but the bushes 
prevented his seeing what had occurred. The 
report, however, followed by the woman’s shriek, 
was a sufficienDspur to him. Darting forward at 
full speed, he quickly cleared the underwood and 
came suddenly in view of a sight that caused 
every nerve in his body to tingle-^Rinka prostrate 
on the ground with blood covering her face and 
^ hands, and the young Indian standing over her 
about to operate with the- scalping-knife. 

The howl of concentrated .rage and horror ut- 
tered by„Cheenbuk instantly checked the savage, 
and made him turn in self-defence. He had run 
to finish his horrible work, and secure the usual 
trophy of - war without taking time to re-load his 
gun, and was thus almost unarmed. Grasping his 
powder-horn he attempted to rectify this error — 
which would never have been committed by an 
experienced warrior, — but before he could ac- 
complish half the operation, the well-aimed spear 
E 


66 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


of Cheenbuk went whistling through the air, and 
entering his chest camo out at his back. He fell 
dead almost without a groan. 

Cheenbuk did not stop to. finish the work by 
stabbing or .scalping, but he kneeled beside the 
wounded girl and gently raised her. 

“ Rinka,” he said, softly, while he undid her 
jacket and sought for the wound, “ is it bad ? Has 
he killed you ? ” 

“I feel that I am dying. There is something 
here.” She laid her hand upon her side, from a 
small wound in which blood was issuing freely. 

The heart of the man was at.once torn by tender 
pity and bitter -indignation, when he thought of 
the gentle nature of the poo^ creature who had 
been thus laid low, and of the savage cruelty of 
the Indian who had done it — feelings which were 
not a little complicated by the reflection that the 
war-spirit — that is, the_xlesire to kill for mere self- 
glorification — among some of his own people had 
probably been the oause of it all. 

“ It is useless. I am dying,” gasped the girl, 
drawing her bloody hand across her forehead. 
“ But don’t leave me to. fall into the hands of 
these men. Take me home and let me die beside 
my mother.” 

She was yet speaking when old Uleeta and her 
companions came forward. Seeing that no other 
Indian appeared, and that the one who had shot 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 67 

Einka was dead, they had quelled their alarm and 
come to see what had occurred. Cheenbuk, after 
stanching the flow of blood, availed himself of their 
aid to carry the wounded girl to the oomiak more 
comfortably than could have been possible if he 
had been obliged to carry her in his own strong 
arms. 

With much care they placed her in the bottom 
of the boat, then the women got in, and Cheenbuk 
wag about to follow, when the report of a. gun was 
heard, and a bullet whizzed close past old Uleeta’s 
head — so close, indeed, that it cut off some of her 
grey hair. But the old creature was by no means 
frightened. 

“ Quick, jump in ! ” she cried, beginning to push 
off with her paddle. 

Cheenbuk was on the point of accepting the 
invitation, but a thought intervened — and thought 
is swifter than the lightning-flash. He knew from 
slight, but sufficient, experience that the spouters 
could send only one messenger of death at a time, 
and that before another could be spouted, some 
sort of manipulation which took time was needful. 
If the Indian should get the . manipulation over 
before the oomiak was out of range, any of the 
women, as well as himself, might be killed. 

“ No,” he cried, giving the boat a mighty shove 
that sent it out to sea like an arrow, “ be off ! — 
paddle ! — for life ! I will stop him ! ” 


68 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Old Uleeta did not hesitate. She was ac- 
customed to obedience — even when there were 
no fire-spouters astern. She bent to her paddle 
with Arctic skill and vigour. So did her mates, 
and the oomiak darted from the shore while the 
Indian who had fired the shot was still agonising 
with his ramrod— for, happily, breech-loaders were 
as yet unknown. 

Cheenbuk was quite alive to his danger. He 
rushed up the beach towards his foe with a roar 
and an expression of- countenance that did not 
facilitate loading. Having left his spear in the 
body of the first Indian, he was unarmed, but that 
did not matter much to one who felt in his chest 
and arms the strength of Hercules and Samson 
rolled into one. So close was he to the Indian 
when the operation of priming was reached, that 
the man of the woods merely gave the stock of 
his gun a slap in the desperate hope that it would 
prime itself. 

This hope, in the artillery used there at that 
time, was not often a vain hope. Indeed, after 
prolonged use, the “trade gun” of the “Nor’- 
West ” got into the habit of priming itself — owing 
to the enlarged nature of the touch-hole — also 
of expending not a little of its force sidewise. 
The consequence was that the charge ignited 
when the trigger was pulled, and the echoes of 
the cliffs were once more awakened ; but happily 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 69 

the Eskimo had closed in time. Grasping the 
barrel he turned the muzzle aside, and the ball 
that was meant for his heart went skipping out 
to sea, to the no small surprise of the women in 
the oomiak. 

And now, for the second time since he had 
landed on those shores, was Cheenbuk engaged 
in the hated work of a hand-to-hand conflict with 
a foe ! 

But the conditions were very different, for 
Alizay was no match for the powerful Eskimo — 
in physique at least, though doubtless he was not 
much, if at all, behind him in courage. 

Cheenbuk felt this the moment they joined 
issue, and on the instant an irresistible sensation 
of mercy overwhelmed him. Holding the gun 
with his right hand, and keeping its muzzle well 
to one side, for he did not feel quite certain as 
to its spouting capacities, he grasped the Indian’s 
throat with his left. Quick as lightning Alizay, 
with his free hand, drew his scalping-knife and 
struck at the Eskimo’s shoulder, but not less 
quick was Cheenbuk in releasing the throat and 
catching the Indian’s wrist with a grip that 
rendered it powerless. 

For a minute the Eskimo remained motionless, 
considering how best to render his adversary 
insensible without killing him. 

That minute cost him dear. Five of Alizay ’s 


70 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


comrades, led by Magadar, came „ upon the scene, 
and, as it happened, Cheenbuk’s ,back chanced 
to be towards them. They did not dare to fire, 
for fear of hitting their comrade, but they rushed 
unitedly forward with tomahawk and scalping- 
knife ready. 

“ Take hiimalive,” said Magadar. 

Cheenbuk heard the. voice. He disposed of 
poor Alizay by -hurling him away as if he had 
been a child, and was in the act of facing round 
when Magadar threw his arms round his body 
and held him. To be seized thus from behind 
is to most men a serious difficulty, but our 
Eskimo made short work of hisL assailant. He 
bent forward with his Jhead to the ground so 
violently that the Indian was flung completely 
over him, and fell . flat on his back, in which 
position he remained motionless. But it was 
impossible for Cheenbuk to cope with the other 
four Indians, who flung themselves on him simul- 
taneously, and seized him by arms, legs, and throat. 

Of course they could have brained or stabbed 
him easily, but, remembering their chiefs order 
to take the man alive, they sought to quell him 
by sheer force. Stout and sinewy though the 
four braves were, they had their hands full during 
a good many minutes, for the Eskimo’s muscles 
were tougher and harder than india-rubber; his 
sinews resembled whip-cord, and his bones bars 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 71 

of iron. So completely was he . overwhelmed bf 
the men who. held him down, that little or nothing 
of him could be seen, yet ever and anon, as he 
struggled, the four men seemed to be heaved 
upward by a small earthquake. 

Alizay, who had- risen, stood looking calmly on, 
but rendered no assistance, first, because there 
was no room for him to act, and second, because 
his left wrist had been almost broken by the 
violence of the throw that he had received. As 
for Magadar, he was only beginning to recover 
consciousness, and to wonder where he was ! 

Suddenly Cheenbuk ceased toustrive. He was 
a crafty Eskimo, and a thought had occurred to 
him. He would sham exhaustion, and, when his 
foes relaxed their grip, would burst away from 
them. He knew it was a forlorn hope, for he 
was well aware that, even if he should succeed 
in getting away, the spouters -would send mes- 
sengers to arrest him before he had run far. But 
Cheenbuk was just the man for a forlorn hope. 
He rose to difficulties and dangers as trouts to 
flies on a warm day. The Indians, however, were 
much too experienced warriors to be-caught in 
that way. They eased off their grip with great 
caution. Moreover Magadar, having risen, and 
seeing how things were going, took off his belt 
and made a running noose of it. He passed the 
loop deftly round Cheenbuk’s legs and drew it 


72 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


tight, while the others were still trying vainly to 
compress his bull-neck. 

The moment that Cheenbuk felt the noose 
tighten on his legs he knew that it was all over 
with him. To run or fight with his legs tied 
would be impossible, so, like a true philosopher, 
he submitted to the inevitable and gave in. His 
captors, however, did not deem it wise or safe to 
relax their hold until they had swathed his body 
with deerskin thongs; then they removed the 
belt from his legs and assisted him to rise. 

It is not the custom of Indians to indulge in 
much conversation with vanquished^ foes. They 
usually confine their -attentions ta scowling, tor- 
turing, and ultimately to killing and scalping 
them. The Dogribs who had captured Cheenbuk 
could not speak the Eskimo tongue, and being 
unaware of his linguistic powers, did not think it 
possible to speak to him, but one of their number 
stood by him on guard while the- others dug a 
grave and buried the Indian whom he had slain. 

We have already made reference to our young 
Eskimo’s unusually advanced views in regard to 
several matters that do not^often — as far as we 
know — exercise the ^aboriginal mind. While he 
stood there watching the Indians, as they silently 
toiled at the grave, his thoughts ran somewhat 
in the following groove : — 

“ Poor man ! Sorry I killed him, but if I had 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 73 

not he would have killed me— and then, perhaps, 
some of the women, for they had not, got far 
away, and I don’t know how far the spouter can 
send its -little arrows. I wonder if they are little. 
They must be .surely, for I ’ve never seen one. 
Hoi ! hoi ! what fools men are to kill one another ! 
How much better to let each other alone ! I have 
killed^ him, poor man ! and they will kill me. 
What then? The ice and snow will come and 
go all the same. No one will be the better for 
it when we are gone. Some will surely be the 
worse. Some wife or mother may have to rub 
her eyes for. him. No one will care much for 
me. But the walrus and the seal-hunt will not 
be so big when I am gone. I wonder if the 
Maker of all cares for these things ! He must — 
else he would not have made us and put us here ! 
Did he make us to fight each other ? Surely not. 
Even I would not shape my spear to destroy my 
kayak — and he must be - wiser than me. Yet 
he never speaks or shows himself. If I had a 
little child, would I -treat it so ? No — I must be 
wrong, and he must be right. Speech is not 
always with the .tongue. Now it comes to my 
mind that we speak with the eyes when we look 
fierce or pleased. Perhaps he whispers to me 
inside, sometimes, and I have not yet learned to 
understand him.” 

Cheenbuk had now dropped into one of his 


74 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


frequent, reveries, or trains of thought, in which 
he was apt to forget all that was going on around 
him, and he did not. waken from, it until, the 
burial being concluded, one of the Indians touched 
him on the shoulder and pointed to Magadar, 
who had shouldered his gun and was entering 
the bushes. 

Understanding this to be a command to follow, 
he stepped out at once. The others, fell into line 
behind him, and thus, bound and a captive, our 
Eskimo turned his back finally— as he believed — 
on what we may style his. native home — the great, 
mysterious northern sea. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


75 


CHAPTER VII. 

FLIGHT AND MISFORTUNE. 

While the scene we have described was being 
enacted, the other Indians, who had crossed the 
neck of land for the purpose of cutting off the men 
in the kayaks, failed in the attempt, partly- owing 
to the distance being greater than their memories 
had assigned to it, and partly to the great speed 
of the kayaks when propelled by strong men 
fleeing for their lives. 

All the kayaks were well out of gunshot range 
when the shore was reached, except one which 
lagged behind. At this one the Indians dis- 
charged several volleys, but without effect, and 
soon after it also was beyond range. 

The little vessel which thus lagged behind 
belonged to the unfortunate Gartok, whose leg, it 
will be remembered, was wounded by one of the 
balls discharged by Alizay. Despite his energy, 
and desperate though the situation was, Gartok 
could not overcome the depressing, influence of 
pain and haemorrhage. He fell gradually behind 


76 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


the others, each of whom was too anxious about 
his own safety to think much of his comrades. 

When the firing ceased and the flotilla was well 
out of range, Gartok laid down his paddle and 
bound up his wounded limb with some- scraps of 
sealskin; at the same time, hailing the kayak 
nearest to him. As soon as it was discovered that 
their chief was wounded, all the Eskimos came 
clustering round him. Among them was his 
lieutenant Ondikik. 

“You also are wounded,” said Gartok, observing 
the pallor of his face. 

“ Yes ; I can find no arrow, but there is blood.” 

“Is it bad?” asked the chief, with an angry 
exclamation at their misfortune. 

“ I cannot tell,” replied Ondikik, “ but — ” 

He finished the sentence in the most expressive 
manner by fainting dead away, and falling over to 
one side so heavily that he would have infal- 
libly upset the little craft if his comrades had not 
been close at hand to prevent that catastrophe. 

“ Hail the oomiak!” cried Gartok, in a voice that, 
for him, felt singularly feeble. “ Put him into it, and 
let two of the women change with two of the men.” 

In a few minutes the women’s large open boat 
was alongside, and poor Ondikik was, with some 
difficulty, transferred to it. Two men then gave 
up their kayaks to two of the women, and took 
their places in the oomiak. While this was being 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 77 

done some of the people gave a shout of alarm, for 
it was observed that Gartok himself had quietly 
fallen back in a state of insensibility. 

The men, therefore, lifted him also „ out of his 
kayak and laid him beside hi^ lieutenant. 

This accomplished, the littlejleet paddled out to 
sea, and they soon lost sight of the -Arctic shore. 
They did not- again pause until they reached a 
group of small islets, on one of which they en- 
camped for the night. 

Fortunately the weather at this time was- calm 
and warm, so that those hardy inhabitants of the 
icy north required no better lodging or bed than 
the cold ground, with the star-spangled sky for 
curtains. With lamps' flaring, seal steaks and wild- 
fowl simmering, and hot - oil flowing, they quickly 
made themselves comfortable — with the exception, 
of course, of the warlike Gartok and the hot-headed 
Ondikik. These two, being fellow-sufferers, were 
laid beside each other, in order, perhaps, to facili- 
tate mutual, condolence. To do them justice, they 
did not grumble much at their fate, but enter- 
tained each other with a running commentary on 
the events of the day. 

“ And that is strange news that my old mother 
tells me,” resumed Gartok, after a short pause in 
the conversation. “ Cheenbuk must have given the 
Fire-spouters sore heads from the way he gripped 
them.” 


78 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ I wish I had been there,” growled Ondikik. 

“ I ’m glad I was^i ot there,” returned Gartok. “ I 
could not have _§aved him from so^ many, and it 
would not have been pleasant to go intqjBlavery — 
if not tg torture and death. Poor Cheenbuk ! he 
was ever against war^— yet war has been forced on 
him. I fear we shall never.^see him again. Hoi ! 
my leg is bad. I can’t understand how the Fire- 
spouters could hit it without the little thing going 
through my J)ack first.” 

“ I wish all the Fire-spouters were deep in the 
inside of a_ whale’s belly,” growled Ondikik, whose 
wound was beginning to render him feverish and 
rusty. “ Arrows and spears can be pulled out, but 
when the little „spou ter things go in we don’t know 
where they go to. They^ disappear and leave an 
ugly hole behind them.” 

At this point Baventik, on whom the command 
had devolved, came forward with a choice piece of 
juicy walrus blubber on a. flat stone for a plate. 

“ Our chiefs will eat,” he. said, “ it will do them 
good — make their hearts strong and ease the 
wounds.” 

“No,” said Gartok decisively, “none for me.” 

“ Take it away ! ” cried the other sharply. 

“ No ? ” exclaimed Eaventik in surprise. You 
see, he had never in his life been wounded or ill, 
and could not understand the possibility of re- 
fusing food, except when too full of it. Being a 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


79 


sympathetic soul, however, he pressed it on the 
invalids, but received replies so very discouraging 
that he was induced to forbear. 

Old Uleeta turned out to be a more intelligent, if 
not more kindly, nurse. After she had eaten her 
supper and succeeded in bolting the last bite 
that had refused to go down when she could eat 
no more, she came forward with a bladder full of 
water, and some rabbit skins, for the purpose of 
dressing the wounds. 

“ Gently, mother,” said Gartok with a suppressed 
groan, “ you lay Jiold of me as if I were a seal.” 

“ You are quite as self-willed, my son,” replied 
the old woman. “ If you had noti gone out to 
fight you would not have- come back with a hole 
in your leg.” 

“ If I had not come into the world I should not 
have been here to trouble you, mother.” 

“ There ’s truth in that, my son,” returned the 
woman, as if the idea were new to her. 

At this Ondikik groaned — whether at the con- 
temptibly obvious character of the idea, or at 
ideas in general, or in consequence of pain, we 
cannot tell. 

“ You said, mother, that Cheenbuk gave, them a 
good deal of trouble ? ” 

“ Ay, he gave them sore hearts and sore bodies.” 

“ They deserved it ! what right had they to come 
with their fire-spouters to attack us ? ” 


80 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ What right had you to go without your fire- 
spouters to ^attack them ? ” demanded old Uleeta, 
somewhat maliciously. 

Gartok, who was destitute neither of intelligence 
nor of humour, laughed, but the laugh slid into a 
most emphatic “ hoi ! ” as his mother gave the leg 
a wrench. 

“Softly, mother, softly! Treat me as you did 
when I was sabig,” he exclaimed, indicating about 
one foot six between his hands. 

The old woman chuckled, or rather “hee! 
hee’d ! ” a little and continued : — 

“ Yes, Cheenbuk fought like a. bear. We could 
not see him, for they were all oa top of him at 
once, but hi ! how he made them heave ! I wonder 
they did not use their knives.” 

“They felt sure they . had him,” said her son, 
“ they wanted to drive him to their huts and kill 
him slowly to amuse their women.” 

This was such a horrible, idea that the old 
woman became unusually grave. 

“ These Fire-spouters are worse than white 
bears,” she said, “for these never, torture other 
beasts, though they often kill them.” 

“ True, mother. Now I wish yom would go 
away and leave my leg alone. Ondikik there 
needs your help. Go to him and hurt him as 
much as you please. I won’t grumble.” 

‘ You were always a thankless boy— ever since 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


81 


you could speak,” replied the dame, reproach- 
fully. 

“ Did you ever hear of any one being thankless 
before he could speak ? — hoi L mother, you ’ve tied 
it too tight. Slack it a little.” 

After complying with her son’s request, old 
Uleeta went to Ondikik, to whom, however, she 
could render but little service, owing to the 
nature of his wound. Then she paid a visit to 
Rinka, whose injuries, however, proved to be more 
alarming than severe; after which she. joined the 
rest of the tribe at supper. 

While the Eskimos were thus proceeding to 
their home among the islands of the Arctic sea, 
the captors of Cheenbuk were paddling up stream 
to the lands of the Dogrib Indians. 

At first the stout Eskimo meditated an attempt 
to escape. Indeed he made one vigorous effort 
when they were leading him through the bush 
with his hands tied behind him. Just as they 
came to the place where the canoes were lying, 
the thought of home, and of his probable fate as a 
prisoner, pressed so heavily on him that he sud- 
denly became furious, tripped up the man beside 
him with his foot, kicked over the one behind him 
with his heel, ran his head like a battering-ram 
into the back of the man in front of him, and 
then strove to burst his bonds with a succession 
of mighty wriggles, but, not being quite equal to 

F 


82 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Samson, he failed, and on seeing that two savages 
stood over him with drawn scalping-knives, while 
Magadar put the muzzle of a gun to his head, he 
deemed it wise to give in and uttered the exclama- 
tion “hoi!” with the air of one who feels that 
his game is played out. He marched forward 
after that in submissive silence. 

On reaching the canoes, however, a fresh burst 
of indignation assailed him, and for a moment he 
meditated sending his foot through the bottom of 
the frail craft which was to carry him into exile, 
but on second thoughts he decided to delay the 
performance of that violent measure till they were 
well out in the middle of the current, when there 
would be the chance of drowning some of his foes 
as well as himself. By the time the desired position 
was reached, however, his spirit had. calmed down 
a little and his philosophic mind — to say nothing 
of his heart — had begun to suggest the uselessness 
of gratifying his feelings by a revenge which he 
probably could not enjoy much while in the process 
of drowning, and, doubtless, could not enjoy at all 
after he was drowned. 

Thus it came to pass that our hero restrained 
his passions, and, in process of time* found himself 
a prisoner in one of the lodges of the- Dogrib 
Indians. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


83 


CHAPTER VIII 

IN THE HOUR OF NEED 

On reaching the Indian village Cheenbuk was 
firmly bound to a tree a little way outside the 
camp, and left there to his meditations, while his 
captors went to the old chief’s tent to hold a 
council. 

Meanwhile the women and children went to 
look at the captive. Among them were Adolay 
and her mother. The moment the former set 
eyes on Cheenbuk she recognised him as the 
youth who had rescued her mother from drown- 
ing the previous year. 

“ Mother,” she whispered, drawing her parent 
aside, “ that is him ! Don’t you remember him ? ” 

“ I think it is,” returned Isquay, gazing steadily 
at the Eskimo, who looked at the crowd which 
surrounded him with a gaze of supreme contempt, 
though he did not by any means feel contemp- 
tuous. 

“Come, mother,” said Adolay, with sudden 
earnestness, “he has not recognised us in the 


84 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


crowd. I must go and find out what the braves 
are palavering.” 

As she spoke she drew her mother towards 
their own lodge, and there left her while she 
hurried on to the council tent. In the shelter 
of some bushes she crept as near to it as possible. 

There was no difficulty in making, out what was 
said, for the warriors made no secret of their in- 
tentions, and spoke in loud tones. 

“He shalh die,” was the remark of Alizay just 
as the girl came within hearing, “he has killed 
one of our braves.” 

“ Ay, and he shall die by Torture,” said Magadar, 
who was a relation of the man that had been 
slain. 

“ Ho ! ho ! ” exclaimed most of the warriors in 
tones of approval, but there were a few among 
them who were silent. They leaned to mercy’s 
side. 

“ Better to spare his life and make a slave of 
him,” said one of these, “ we can keep him always 
tied like a bad dog till we need him ; then we can 
loose his legs and make him drag our sledges.” 

“ The brave who has spoken is young,” said the 
old chief. “ He does not know much about men. 
Will not the Eskimo watch for his chance, get 
free from his bonds, kill some of us when we are 
off our guard, and, perhaps, escape ? ” 

“That is so. He must be killed,” remarked 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


85 


Magadar, with, a glance of scorn at the merciful 
youth, “and the. sooner the better.” 

“ Let us do it at .once,” said one of the blood- 
thirsty. 

On hearing this the heart of Adolay beat 
anxiously, and for a few ^moments she was un- 
decided whether to run to the tree to which the 
Eskimo was bound and set him free by cutting 
his bonds, or enter the council-tent, tell the story 
of his havingjsaved her^mother’s life, and plead 
that the youth’s might be spared. Both courses, 
she knew, were about equally desperate. If she 
were to follow the first, all the children would see 
her do it, and give the alarm, in which case the 
Eskimo would be pursued and certainly recap- 
tured, for a fugitive in a strange country would 
have no chance with men well acquainted with 
every nook and corner of their native land. Be- 
sides which, she knew not what terrible punish- 
ment might be inflicted on_ herself for making 
such an attempt. On the other hand, for a 
woman to violate the sanctity of a council-tent 
was so unprecedented that she felt sure it would 
be sternly resented, and, therefore, useless. 

Fortunately she was saved the necessity of 
acting on either alternative by the arguments of 
the next speaker, who was one of the blood-thirsty 
braves. 

“Let us not be in. haste like, women and 


86 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


children, 1 ” he said; “if we leave him bound to the 
tree all night he will have time to think of the 
fate that is coming, and we shall have good sun- 
light in the morning, which will enable even the 
oldest squaw to see well.” 

After some palaver it was agreed that the exe- 
cution of Cheenbuk should be postponed to the 
following day, and that a sentinel should be posted 
beside him during the night to make sure that he 
did not manage to undo his fastenings and escape. 

On hearing this decision arrived at, Adolay crept 
back into the bush and hastened to her mother’s 
tent. 

“They have fixed to kill him, mother,” she 
exclaimed, anxiously, on entering. 

“I expected that, and I’m sorry,” returned 
Isquay, “ but we cannot help it. What can women 
do ? The men will not mind what I say. If 
only Nazinred was here they would listen to him, 
but ” 

“ Yes, they always listen to father,” interrupted 
the girl, with an anxious frown on her pretty 
brows, “ but as father is not here you must do what 
you can for the man.” 

“You are very fond of him!” said the squaw 
with a keen look at her daughter. 

“ Yes, I am very fond of him,” replied Adolay 
with an air of unblushing candour, “ and I think, 
mother, that you should be fond of him too.” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


87 


“So I am, girl, so I am, but wbat can I 
do?” 

“You can go and tell the story to tbe old 
chief. He is nof hard, like some of the young 
men. Perhaps he may Jielp us.” 

Isquay shook her head, but nevertheless agreed 
to try her influence with the old man, and went 
out for that purpose. 

Meanwhile Adolay, who had not herself much 
faith in her mother’s advocacy of the poor Eskimo’s 
cause, resolved upon a separate course of action. 
Throwing a blanket over her head and shoulders, 
she started for the place where Cheenbuk stood, 
scornfully regarding the little boys who surrounded 
and insulted him by flourishing knives and hat- 
chets close to his defenceless nose. They did not, 
however, dare to touch him, as the time had not 
yet arrived for actuaLtorture. 

Running forward, Adolay, who was a favourite 
with the young people, drove them back. 

“Keep clear of him,” she cried with a fierce 
glare in her eyes — which was. wonderfully realistic, 
considering that it was a mere piece of acting— 
“ I want to speak to him — to terrify him — to fill 
him with horror ! ” 

This was quite to the taste of the wretched little 
creatures, who fell back in a semi-circle and waited 
for more. 

“ Can you understand my speech ? ” she de- 


88 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


manded as she turned on ^Cheenhuk with flashing 
eyes. 

The Eskimo thought he had never seen such 
magnificent eyes before, and wished much that 
they would look on him more kindly. 

“ Yes,” he replied, “ I understand a little.” 

“Listen, then,” cried Adolay in a loud tone, and 
with looks more furious than before. “ You are to 
die to-morrow.” 

“I expected it would be to-night,” replied 
Cheenhuk calmly. 

“ And you are to be-tortured to death ! ” 

At this the boys set up a howl of delight. 

At the same time the girl advanced a step 
nearer the captive, and said in a low voice 
hurriedly : — 

“ I will^ave you. Be ready to act-*— to-night.” 

The softened look and altered, tone opened the 
eyes of the captive. Although the blanket partially 
concealed Adolay’s face, Cheenhuk at once recog- 
nised the girl whose mother he hacUsaved the 
previous spring. 

“I am- awake!” he said quietly, but with a 
glance of bright intelligence. 

“ Yes, you are doomed to die,” continued Adolay, 
when the boys’ howling had subsided, “ and if you 
are to be tortured, we will alhcome to see how 
brave you are.” 

As she said this she went close up to the 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 89 

captive, as if to make her words more emphatic, 
and shook her little fist in his face. Then — in a 
low voice— “ You see the cliff behind me, with the 
dead tree. below it?” 

“ Yes.” 

“Run for that tree when you are free — and 
wait” 

Turning round, as though hei^rage was satisfied 
for the time being, Adolay left the spot with a 
dark frown on her face. 

“Leave him now, boys,” she said in passing. 
“ Give him time to think about to-morrow.” 

Whether it was the effect of this advice, or the 
fact that the shades of evening were falling, and a 
feeding-time was at hand, we cannot say, but in a 
short time Cheenbuk was left to his meditations. 
He was, however, quite within sight of several of 
the lodges. As the daylight gradually faded a 
young brave left his tent, and, shouldering his 
gun, went to the place where the captive was 
bound. Examining the bonds to make sure that 
they were secure, the youth carefully renewed the 
priming of his weapon, shouldered it, and began 
to pace to and fro. His mode of proceeding was 
to walk up to the captive, take a look at him, turn 
round, and walk about thirty or forty yards away 
from him, and so on to and fro without halt or 
variation for upwards of two hours. During all 
that time he uttered no word to the Eskimo. 


90 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Cheenbuk, on bis part, took no notice whatever 
of his guard, but stood perfectly still and looked 
with calm, lofty indifference over bis bead — which 
be was well able to do, being a considerably taller 
man. 

As the night advanced the darkness deepened, 
and the poor captive began to entertain serious 
misgivings as to bis prospects. Would the girl 
try to carry out the plan, whatever it was ? Yes, 
he bad not the slightest doubt on that head, 
because, somehow, she had inspired him with a 
confidence that he had never felt in woman before. 
But would she be able to carry out her plan ? 
That was quite another question. Then, the dark- 
ness had become so intense that he could barely 
see the outline of the cliff towards which he was 
to run, and could not see the dead tree at all. 
Moreover, it occurred to him that it would be 
impossible even to walk, much less to run, over 
unknown and perhaps rough ground in darkness 
so great that he could hardly see the trees around 
him ; and could only make out theuwhites of the 
sentinel’s eyes when he came close up. 

It was therefore with a feeling of relief that he 
at length observed a faint glow of light in the sky, 
which indicated the rising of the moon. 

Soon afterwards a dark figure was seen approach- 
ing. It was Alizay, the blood-thirsty brave, who 
had come to relieve guard. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


91 


CHAPTER IX 

TRYING MOMENTS AND PERPLEXING DOUBTS 

The first thing that the new sentinel did was 
carefully to examine the cords that bound the 
captive to the tree, and tie one or two additional 
knots to make him more, secure. Then he turned 
to the other Indian, and asked sharply : — 

“ Has he been quiet ? ” 

“ Quiet as the tree to which he is bound.” 

“ Has he uttered speech ? ” 

“ No.” 

“ Good. You may go. I will watch him till morn- 
ing : after that he will need no more watching.” 

Alizay looked sharply at the Eskimo while he 
uttered these words, perhaps to ascertain whether 
he understood their drift, but Cheenbuk’s visage 
was immovable, and his eyes were fixed, as if in 
meditation, on the moon, which just then was 
beginning to rise over the cliffs and shed a 
softened light over the Indian village. 

The new sentinel shouldered his gun and began 
his vigil, while the other left them. 


92 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


But other ears had listened to the concluding 
words of Alizay. 

The tree to which the Eskimo was bound stood 
close to the edge of the bush, or underwood. In 
front of it was an open space, up and down which 
the sentinel marched. Had the Indian dreamed 
of a traitor in the camp he would not have deemed 
the captive’s position as secure as it should be, but 
the idea of any one in the village favouring a con- 
temptible eater-of-raw-flesh never once entered his 
imagination. 

Nevertheless, Adolay was in the' bush behind 
the tree, and not only heard his words, but saw 
his movements. Watching her opportunity when 
the sentinel had just turned and was marching 
away from the tree, she cut, with a. scalping knife, 
the cord that bound Cheenbuk’s right arm and 
placed the knife in his hand. Almost at the same 
moment she slipped, back into the bush. 

Cheenbuk made no attempt, however, to free 
himself. The sentinel’s beat was too short to 
permit of his doing so without being observed. 
He therefore remained perfectly motionless in his 
former attitude. 

It was a trying moment when the Indian 
approached to within a couple of feet and looked 
him straight in the face, as was his wont at each 
turn. But Cheenbuk was gifted with nerves of 
steel. His contemplation of the moon was so 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 93 

absorbing, that a civilised observer might have 
mistaken him for an astronomer or a lunatic. 
Alizay suspected nothing. He turned round, and 
the Eskimo allowed him to take about five paces 
before he moved. Then, with the speed of light- 
ning, he ran the sharp blade down his side, severing 
all his bonds at one sweep. 

Next moment he was free, but he instantly 
resumed his former position and attitude until his 
guard was within a . yard of him. Then he sprang 
upon him, dropped the knife and seized him by 
the throat with both hands, so tightly that he was 
quite incapable of uttering a cry. 

Alizay made a vigorous struggle for life, but he 
had no chance with the burly Eskimo, who quickly 
decided the fight by giving his adversary a blow 
with his fist that laid him insensible on the 
ground. 

Springing over his, prostrate form he ran 
straight for the cliff that Adolay had pointed out 
to him, leaping over fallen trees, and across what 
looked like young chasms, in a state of reckless 
uncertainty as to whether he would plunge into 
ponds or land at the bottom of precipices. With 
a feeling of absolute confidence that the girl with 
the lustrous eyes would not have told him to run 
where the feat was impossible, he held on until he 
reached the bottom of the cliff and stood beside 
the dead tree unhurt, though considerably winded. 


94 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


There he resolved to wait according to orders. 
To most ordinary men, waiting, when they are filled 
with anxiety, is much more trying than energetic 
action. But Cheenbuk was not an ordinary man, 
therefore he waited like a hero. 

Meanwhile Adolay, having seen the. Eskimo fairly 
in grips with the_sentinel, ran swiftly back towards 
the village, intending, before going to Cheenbuk 
at the cliff, to let her mother know what she had 
done, and what she still purposed to do — namely 
to embark with the Eskimo in a birch-bark canoe, 
guide him across the small lake that lay near the 
village, and show him the jivulet that would lead 
him into the.Greygoose River. But she had not 
gone far, when, on turning a bush, she almost ran 
into the arms of a young Indian girl named 
Idazoo, an event which upset all her plans and 
perplexed her not a little — all the more that this 
girl was jealous of her, believing that she was 
trying to steal from her the affections of Alizay, 
whom she regarded as her own young man ! 

“Why run you so fast?” asked the girl, as 
Adolay stood panting before her. “ Have you seen 
a bad spirit ? ” 

“ Yes, I have seen a bad spirit,” answered Adolay 
(thinking of Alizay), “I have seen two bad spirits,” 
she added (thinking of Idazoo). “ But I cannot 
stop to tell you. I have to — to^go to see — some- 
thing very strange to-night.” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 95 

Now it must be told that Idazoo was gifted with 
a very large bump of curiosity, and a still larger 
one, perhaps, of suspicion. The brave Alizay, she 
knew, was to mount guard over the Eskimo 
captive that night, and she had a suspicion that 
Adolay had taken advantage of that fact to pay 
the captive — not the Indian, oh dear no ! — a visit. 
Unable to rest quietly in her tent under the 
powerful influence of this idea, she resolved to 
take a walk herself — a sort of moonlight ramble as 
it were — in that direction. As we have seen, she 
met her friend, not unexpectedly, on the way. 

“ I will go with you,” she said, “ to see this 
strange thing, whatever it be. There may be 
danger ; two are better than one, and, you know, 
I am not easily frightened.” 

Poor Adolay was dismayed by this proposition, 
and hurried forward, but Idazoo kept pace with 
her. Suddenly she made up her mind, and, 
changing her direction, made for the cliff at a 
rapid run, closely followed by her jealous friend, 
who was resolved to see the mystery out. 

She purposely led her companion round in such 
a way that they came suddenly upon the waiting 
Eskimo, whose speaking visage betrayed his sur- 
prise at seeing two girls instead of one. 

On beholding Cheenbuk standing there unbound, 
Idazoo stopped short, drew back, and gazed at 
him in alarm as well as surprise. 


96 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


You have now seen the strange sight I spoke of, 
but you must not .tell it in the lodges,” said Adolay. 

Without answering her, Idazoo turned to fly, 
but Adolay grasped her by the wrist and held her 
tight — at the same time motioning with her hand 
to Cheenbuk. 

The Eskimo was prompt as well as intelligent. 
He did not wait for explanations or allow surprise 
to delay him. With a bound he was beside the 
girls, had grasped Idazoo, and looked to Adolay 
for further instructions. 

“Hold her till I tie up her hands,” she said, 
drawing a stout line of deerskin from a pocket in 
the breast of her dress. 

With this she proceeded to bind her inquisitive 
friend’s wrists. Perceiving that she was to be 
made a captive, the girl opened her mouth and 
began a, shriek, which, had it been allowed full 
play, would no doubt have reached her friends in 
the village, but Cheenbuk had observed the inten- 
tion, and before the first note had struggled into 
being, he clapped his hand on her mouth and 
quenched it. Idazoo wore round her neck a 
brightly coloured cotton kerchief, such as the fur- 
traders of those days furnished for barter with the 
Indians. Cheenbuk quietly plucked this off her 
neck and tied it firmly round her face and mouth 
so as to effectually gag her. This done they 
fastened her to the stem of the dead tree. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


97 


The whole operation was performed without 
unnecessary rudeness, and with great celerity. 

“Now, Idazoo,” said Adolay, when they had 
finished, “you have done me great injury this night. 
I am sorry to treat you in this way, but I cannot 
help it. You would come with me, you know. If 
I could trust yom even now, I would take the 
cloth off your mouth, but I dare not, you might 
yell, and everybody knows you were never good at 
keeping your promises. But it does not matter 
much. The handkerchief is not too fight to pre- 
vent the ah: getting up your nose — and it will give 
your tongue a rest, which it needs. Besides, the 
night is not cold, and as our braves pass here 
every morning when starting off to hunt, you will 
soon be set free.” 

The Eskimo showed all his brilliant teeth from 
ear to ear while this little speech was being made. 
Then he accompanied Adolay through the bush 
until they reached the shores of a small lake, 
beside which a birch-bark canoe was lying, partly 
in the water. At an earlier part of that evening 
the girl had placed the canoe there, and put into 
it weapons and provisions suitable for a consider- 
able voyage. 

“You have got this _ready for me?” said 
Cheenbuk. 

“Yes. You saved my mother’s life once, and 
I will ‘ save yours,” replied the girl, pointing 
G 


98 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


to the bow of the canoe as if ordering him to 
embark. 

“Are you going with me?” asked the youth, 
with a look of hopeful surprise and a very slight 
flutter of the heart. 

“ You do not know the lake. I will guide you 
to the place where the little river runs out of it, 
and then, by following that, you will get into 
Greygoose River, which I think you know.” 

The Eskimo’s heart ceased to flutter, and the 
hope died out of his expressive eyes as he said, 
still hesitating, “ But — but — I am very heavy and 
you are very light. A canoe does not go well 
with its head deep in the water. Don’t you think 
that I should sit behind and steer ? ” 

“ And where would you steer to ? ” asked Ado- 
lay, with a somewhat pert smile. “ Besides, look 
there,” she added, pointing to the stern of the 
little craft, “do Eskimos not use their eyes ?” 

Cheenbuk used his eyes as directed, and saw 
that a heavy stone had been placed in the stern 
so as to counteract the difference of weight. With 
an air of humility, therefore, he stepped into his 
allotted place, took up a paddle and sat down. 
Adolay pushed the craft into deeper water, stepped 
lightly in, and, giving a vigorous shove, sent it 
skimming out on the lake. Then the two dipped 
their paddles with a will, and shot over the water 
like an arrow. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


99 


Profound silence was maintained until the other 
end of the lake was reached, when the moon came 
out from a bank of clouds and enabled the girl 
to find the reedy source of the little river without 
difficulty. 

“We will land here and lift the canoe past the 
reeds,” she said, steering the little craft to the 
side of a grassy bank. 

Walking along this bank, and guiding the canoe 
with their hands, they soon came to an open space 
in the forest, whence they could see the rivulet 
winding like a thread of silver through the land 
in front of them. 

“This is the place where we must part,” said 
Adolay with a sudden determination of manner 
which surprised and puzzled the Eskitno. “ You 
have now no further need for me. You have 
only to go straight on with the running of the 
water. There are only two falls on the way, but 
you will hear the noise before you come to them, 
and you have only to lift the canoe a short way 
through the bush to the still water below the 
falls. Our braves often do that ; you will find it 
quite easy.” 

“ I know something of that,” returned Cheenbuk ; 
“ we have no falls in our great salt lake, but we 
have plenty big lumps of ice, and when these 
are like to crush together we have to jump out 
of our kayaks and lift them out of the water — ho J 


100 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


and we do it quick too, sometimes, or we get 
squeezed flat. But if I go on with the canoe how 
will you get home ? You cannot swim back.” 

“ I can walk round the„ lake. Are the Eskimo 
girls not able to walk, that you ask such a ques- 
tion ? ” said the girl, raising her dark eyes with 
something of an amused look to the face of her 
companion, who was looking anxiously down at her. 

“Oh yes, they can walk well. Ay, and run 
too when needful. But — but — I ’m . sorry that we 
must part. Must !-^why .must ? ” 

The youth said this in a meditative tone, for 
it had occurred to him for a moment that the 
girl was now in his power; that he could compel 
her to get into the bow of the canoe, and might 
steer her to his home at Waruskeek if he chose, 
whether she would or no. But Cheenbuk’s soul 
was chivalrous. He was far in advance of his 
kindred and his times. He scorned himself for 
having even thought of such a thing for a moment ; 
and it was with an air of profound humility that 
he continued — “ Must — of course you must. One 
of the young braves would have a sore heart if 
you did not return.” 

“ No one that I know of,” she replied quickly. 
“ I care not for the braves ; but my mother would 
have a sore heart if I did not return. Yet I fear 
to go back, for that Idazoo will tell, and perhaps 
they will kill me for helping you to escape.” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


101 


“ Then you must not go back,” said the Eskimo 
stoutly. “Come with me and I will take good 
care of you ” 

“ No, I cannot,” returned the girl thoughtfully ; 
“ I cannot forsake my mother and father in such 
a way without even a word at parting. 

“ What is your name ? ” asked the youth 
promptly. “ Mine is Cheenbuk.” 

“They call me Adolay; that, in our language, 
means the summer-time.” 

“Well, Adolay, I don’t know what my name, 
Cheenbuk, means — perhaps it means winter-time. 
Anyhow, listen to me. If there is any chance of 
you being killed you must not go back. I will 
take you to my mother’s igloe and you will live 
with her.” 

“ Have you, too, got a mother ? ” asked Adolay 
with interest. 

“ Ho ! yes ; and a father too — and they ’re both 
fat and heavy and kind. When they come to 
know that you have been so kind to me, they will 
receive you with joy.” 

“No,” said Adolay, shaking her small head 
decidedly, “ I will not go. They may kill me if 
they like, but I will never forsake my mother.” 

“ Are you determined ? ” 

“ Yes— for sure.” 

“ Then so am I,” said Cheenbuk, taking hold of 
the canoe and turning the bow up-stream. “ Get 


102 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


in, Adolay, and we will return to the. lodges of 
your people and die. together.” 

Cheenbuk had a way of saying and doing 
things that convinced his hearers that he was 
thoroughly in earnest. The Indian girl felt this, 
and regretted much that she had said anything 
at all about her danger. She now tried to counter- 
act the evil. 

“ What do you mean ? ” she said, anxiously. 

“ I mean that I am not afraid to go back and 
die with you.” 

“But it is not certain,” she replied, “that they 
will kill me. If my father was at home they 
would not dare to do it, and perhaps they will 
be afraid of his revenge when he. comes back. 
But for you there is no chance at all. They will 
be sure to kill you with slow tortures.” 

“ I care not. If I go back they will not be so 
likely to kill you. But listen to me, Adolay. 
I have a thought. If you come with me to my 
home in Waruskeek I will take you safe to my 
father’s igloe, and you shall live with my mother 
and sister. I will not ask you to be my squaw, 
but you will stay with them till we collect a 
strong band of young men, when we will go to 
visit your people and take you with us. If they 
are friendly — well, and we can traffic together. 
If they receive us ill there will be a fight — that 
is all. I do not like fighting — but whatever 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


103 


happens 1 promise that you shall be restored to 
your father and mother. Now, will you go ? ” 
Adolay looked up earnestly into the grave 
countenance of the young man. There could 
be no doubt of his thorough sincerity — she felt 
that — still, she hesitated. It was a_ bold step to 
take — even for am Indian heroine ! 

At that critical moment there broke upon their 
ears a distant sound that caused them both to 
start and look. round anxiously. It was faint, and 
so far away that at first they could make nothing 
of it. A few seconds later it was repeated louder 
than before. Then a look of intelligence broke 
over Adolay’s countenance. 

“ I know ! ” she exclaimed, “ Idazoo is^shrieking ! 
We should have put tAe cloth over her nose ! She 
has got her mouth free and — ” 

Another sharp yell rendered it. needless for her 
to complete the sentence. 

“Come,” she said, laying hands on the canoe. 
“ Turn it round. We will, go ! ” 

A few minutes more and the pair wera flying 
down the swift current of the little river as fast 
as they could dip their paddles in the stream. 


104 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


CHAPTER X. 

A WILD CHASE AND A SAD FAILURE. 

It does not - necessarily require the influences 
of civilised life to make an honourable, upright 
man, any more than it needs the influences of 
savage life to make a thorough scoundrel. Of 
course the tendency of civilisation is to elevate, 
of savagery to debase, nevertheless it is certain 
that as we occasionally see blackguards in the 
highest ranks, so we sometimes find men and 
women with exalted conceptions of right and 
wrong in the lowest circles of life. 

The truth would seem to be that the Spirit of 
God is not confined to ranks or conditions of men — 
a fact that appears to be confirmed by the Scrip- 
ture statement that “ in every, nation he that 
feareth God and worketh righteousness is accept- 
able to Him.” 

Cheenbuk’s mind must assuredly have been 
influenced by a good spirit when, after descending 
the little river at the utmost speed possible — so 
as to render recapture for a time at least impro- 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 105 

bable — he directed his companion to run the 
canoe on the bank in an eddy formed by a flat 
rock, and then, against his own most earnest 
desires, advised Adolay to return to her people. 

“While we were paddling down-stream,” he 
said, “ I have been thinking much, and I cannot 
believe that your, people would be so hard as to 
kill you for only helping a poor Eskimo to escape. 
Now, I have changed my mind. I have often 
found that it is better to think more than once 
before acting, if you have time to do so. What 
I think now is, that we should hide the canoe 
here, and return to your village on foot together. 
When we get there — or when we meet them 
chasing us — you will go on, and I will hide to 
see how they receive you, and if they receive you 
kindly — as 1 feel sure they will do — I will return 
here to this spot, take the canoe, and go to my 
home alone. I cannot bear to take you from your 
father and mother. I think the Great Spirit, who 
is the father of all, would be angry with me. But 
I will not force you to return if you are afraid.” 

“ I am afraid,” returned Adolay, quickly. “ You 
do not know how angry the men will be: and 
you don’t know how sharp their eyes are. If you 
were to return with me they would see you long 
before you could see them, and would give you no 
chance to hide.” 

“ Then there is nothing to be done but to go on,” 


106 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


said Cheenbuk, with a sigh which he loyally strove 
to vent as a sign of regret, but which insisted on 
issuing forth as a distinct sound of satisfaction ! 

“You have promised to take me safe to your 
mother’s igloe, and to bring me back to my own 
home,” said Adolay, with a look of confidence. 
“ I will go on and trust you.” 

Without another word the Eskimo pushed off 
the head of the canoe, which was caught by 
the current and swept down stream. Ere long 
they reached the Greygoose River, and, paddling 
into the centre of the current, were soon careering 
towards the sea at a pace which they thought 
rendered their being overtaken almost impossible. 
To make quite sure, however, they continued the 
voyage far into the night, and did not land for 
a very brief rest until the grey dawn had begun 
to appear over the eastern tree-tops. 

Being both somewhat fatigued by that time 
they scarcely uttered a word as they encamped, 
but went about the work as if half asleep. Cheen- 
buk lifted the canoe out of the water and laid 
it on the bank, bottom up, in which position it 
formed a rough and ready tent for his companion, 
who, meanwhile, carried up the provisions. Seated 
on the grass beside it they ate a little dried veni- 
son, which required no cooking — uttering only a 
monosyllable now and then with half-closed eyes, 
and sometimes with an imbecile < smile, which 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


107 


terminated occasionally in an irresistible nod. The 
feebleness of the light, too, as well as the quietness 
of the hour, contributed not a little to this state 
of semi-consciousness. 

The frugal supper having been washed down 
with a draught of water, from Nature’s own cup — 
the joined hands — Adolay lay down under the 
canoe. Cheenbuk retired to a neighbouring spruce- 
fir and stretched himself under its branches. Need 
we add that sleep closed their eyelids instantly ? 

But the Eskimo was much too experienced a 
hunter and warrior to allow the drowsy god to 
enchain him long. Like a dead log he lay for 
little more than two hours, then he awoke with 
a start and stretched himself. 

“ Hoi ! ” he exclaimed sharply, looking towards 
the canoe, which was distant from his lair about 
five or six yards. 

The exclamation had scarcely passed his lips 
when Adolay sprang up, and next moment went 
blinking, yawning, and stumbling down the bank 
with the provisions under one arm, the paddles 
and weapons under the other. Cheenbuk lifted 
the canoe and followed her. In a few minutes 
they were once more out in the middle of the 
strong current, paddling with might and main. 

Now, it was well that they had used such dili- 
gence in their flight, for the pursuers were closer 
behind them than they had supposed. 


108 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


When the unfortunate Alizay was felled by the 
Eskimo, as we have described, he lay for a con- 
siderable time in a state of insensibility, but he 
was by no means killed — not even seriously dam- 
aged — for Cheenbuk’s intense dislike to take life had 
not only induced him to^drop the knife with which 
the Indian girl had supplied him to cut his cords, 
but inclined him to use his ponderous fist with 
moderation, so that Alizay, on recovering, found 
himself none the worse, except for a severe- head- 
ache and an unnaturally large bridge to his nose. 

Gathering himself up, and gradually swelling 
with rage as he reflected on the treatment to which 
he had been subjected, he ran at full speed to 
alarm the camp and begin a search. But where 
were they to search? — that was the- question. 
There were four points to the compass — though 
they knew nothing about the compass — and the 
fugitive might have gone off in the direction of any 
of these, or between them, and it was too dark a 
night to permit of his trail being followed by 
sight, for, although the moon might aid them in 
the open, it would be quite useless in the darkness 
of the woods. 

A hurried council was held, and a good deal of 
distracting advice given while the young braves 
were arming themselves. To add to their per- 
plexities, a lad rushed suddenly into the council 
tent with glaring eyes, saying that the girl 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 109 

Idazoo had disappeared from the village. This 
news greatly increased the fury of-Alizay, but he 
had scarcely realised tha truth when another lad, 
with, if possible, still more glaring eyes and a 
gaping mouth, rushed in to tell that the girl 
Adolay-was also missing. This blew up the 
agitation to a frenzy of - excitement — not usual 
among the Red men of the north — because the 
necessity for prompt action was great, while the 
impossibility of doing anything definite was 
greater. 

It was just at this point, when the clamour 
was at its height, that a-sound was heard which 
instantly produced dead silence, while every man 
and boy became as if petrified, with eyes enlarged 
and ears cocked to listen. 

Again the sound was heard — a distant" yell 
undoubtedly, coming from the direction of the 
cliff. 

All the self-possession and promptitude of the 
Indians returned in a moment. In a second the 
braves glided out of the council-tent and dis- 
appeared, each making a straight line for the 
sound, while the women and children left behind 
listened with profound attention and expectation. 

There was no lack of guiding sounds now, for 
the moment Idazoo managed to clear her mouth of 
the gag she began and continued a series ofishrieks 
and yells which were intensified in vigour by the 


110 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


fact that she gradually became hysterical as well 
as wrathful. 

The first to reach the spot was- Alizay. On 
beholding him the girL stopped, and, after two 
or three exasperated echoes had finished their 
remarks, a profound- silence reigned. 

Lovers among the Dogribs are not yet very 
gallant. Civilisation may do something for them, 
as to this, in time. 

“ You can make a noise ! ’ said the youth, 
stepping up to her. 

“ I have- reason to do so,” replied the maiden, 
somewhat abashed. 

“Did Adolay go with him?” asked Alizay as 
several of the other braves ran up. 

“Yes.” 

“ Willingly ? ” 

“Yes — she helped to tie me and showed him 
the way.” 

“ Where did they go ? ” 

“ In the direction of the lake.” 

Instantly the whole band turned and ran off in 
the direction mentioned — Alizay being last, as he 
paused just long enough to cut the bonds of Idazoo, 
but left her to disentangle herself as she-best could. 

On reaching the shores of the lake the footsteps 
of the fugitives showed clear in the moonlight, and 
the marks of launching the canoe were visible, so 
that there was no further .doubt as to what should 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


111 


be done. The Indians knew well that there was 
only one ^outlet from the lake. Their canoes 
were close by, and their guns and tomahawks in 
their hands. Nothing therefore required to be 
done but to embark and give chase. For this 
purpose two canoes were deemed sufficient, with 
three men in each. 

Magadar took charge of the leading canoe. 
Alizay steered the other, and the rest of the braves 
returned to the village to gloat over the news that 
Idazoo had to tell, to feast on the produce of the 
previous day’s hunt, and to clear — on obfuscate — 
their intellects, more or less, with their tobacco- 
pipes. 

As the six pursuers were very wrathful, and 
pretty strong, they caused their canoes to skim 
over the lake like swallows, and reached the head 
of the little river not very long after the fugitives 
had left it. A stern chase, however, is proverbially 
a long one, and as they overhauled the chase only 
inch by inch, there seemed little chance of over- 
taking it that night. The leaders, however, being 
men of great endurance, resolved to carry on 
without rest as long as possible. This they did 
until about dawn — the same hour at which the 
fugitives had succumbed — and both parties put 
ashore at last for a rest, neither being aware of the 
fact that their separate camping-grounds were not 
more than -three miles apart ! 


112 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Well was it then for Adolay that her stout pro- 
tector was a light sleeper, as well as a man of iron 
frame, and that he had aroused her fully an hour 
and a half sooner than the time at which the 
Indians left their camp to resume the chase. It 
was well, also, that Cheenbuk required but a short 
rest to recruit his strength and enable him to 
resume the paddle with his full vigour. The joy, 
also, consequent upon the discovery that hedoved 
the Indian girl, and that she had made up her 
mind, without any persuasion on his part, to run 
away with him, lent additional power to his strong 
back. Perhaps, also, a sympathetic feeling in the 
breast of the maiden added to the strength of her 
well-formed and by no means feeble arm, so that 
many miles were soon added to the three which 
intervened between the chasers and the chased. 
To the horror of Adolay she found when^she and 
Cheenbuk reached the mouth of the river, that the 
sea was extensively blocked bymiasses of ice, which 
extended out as far as the eye could reach. 

Although thus encumbered, however, the sea 
was by no means choked up with it, and to the 
gaze of the young Eskimo the ice presented no 
insurmountable obstacle, for his experienced eye 
could trace leads and lanes of-open water as far 
as the first group of distant islets, which lay like 
scarce perceptible specks on the horizon. 

But to the inexperienced ^eye of the^girl the 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


113 


scene was one of hopeless, confusion, and it filled 
her with sudden, alarm and despair, though she 
possessed more than the usual share of the Dogrib 
women’s courage. Observing her alarm, Cheenbuk 
gave her a look of _ encouragement, but avoided 
telling her not to be afraid, for his admiration of 
her was too profound to admit of his thinking 
that she could really be frightened, whatever her 
looks might indicate. 

“The ice is our ^friend to-day,” he said, with a 
cheery smile, as they stood together on the sea- 
shore beside their canoe, surveying the magnificent 
scene of snowy field, fantastic hummock, massive 
berg, and glittering\pinnacle that lay spread out 
before them. 

Adolay felt, but did not express surprise, for she 
was filled with a most commendable trust in the 
truth and wisdom as well as tha courage of the 
man to whose care she had committed herself. 

“ If you say the ice is our- friend, it must/ be so,” 
she remarked quietly, “but to the Indian girl it 
seems as if the ice was our foe, for she can see no 
escape, and my people will be sure to follow us.” 

“ Let them follow,” returned Cheenbuk, with a 
quiet laugh, as he re-arranged the lading of the 
canoe before continuing the voyage. “ They won’t 
follow beyond this place ! ” 

Lifting out the big stone, which had formed a 
counterpoise to his weight, he flung it on the beach. 
h 


114 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“We will change* places now, Adolay,” he said, 
“ you have guided our canoe when on the inland 
waters; it is now my turn to steer, for I under- 
stand the sea of- ice. Get in, we will start.” 

When Magadar and his comrades arrived at the 
mouth of the Greygoose River and beheld the 
aspect of the sea, a cry of mingled .surprise and 
disappointment ^escaped them, but when they had 
landed and discovered the canoe of the fugitives 
far away like a speck among the ice-floes, the cry 
was transmuted into a howl of rage. 

“ Quick ! embark ! Let us after them ! ” shouted 
Magadar. 

“Death to them both!” yelled Alizay. 

For a few minutes the Indians followed the lanes 
of open water, till their turnings began to appear 
somewhat complicated; then the warlike- spirit 
became a little, subdued. Presently one of the 
Indians discovered — or thought he discovered — 
that the lead of water was narrowing, and that 
the ice was closing in. 

Promptly both canoes were put about, and the 
shore was- regained with amazing speed. 

After that the Dogribs paddled quietly up the 
Greygoose River, and meekly returned to their 
woodland home. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


115 


CHAPTER XI. 

ENCAMPED ON THE ISLET. 

It was with feelings of profound thankfulness 
and relief that Adolay landed on the first of the 
islets, and surveyed the chaotic though beautiful 
floes from which they had escaped. 

And in truth Cheenbuk had required all his 
skill and experience more than once to avoid the 
dangers by which they had been beset, for, although 
the weather was perfectly calm and the ice nearly 
motionless, they had frequently to pass through 
channels so narrow that the slightest current 
might have caused a nip and obliged them to take 
hurried refuge on the floes, while, at other times, 
when compelled to pass rather close to the small 
bergs, lumps dropped into the water perilously 
near to them from the overhanging ice-cliffs. 

“ There has been soma danger,” remarked the 
girl, turning to her protector. 

“All is well when ik ends well,” replied the 
Eskimo, nearly, but unconsciously, quoting- Shake- 
speare. “ But the danger was not very great, for 


116 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


if the ice had closed in we could have jumped on 
it, and carried the canoe to the nearest open 
water.” 

“But what if a lump had dropped into the 
canoe and sunk it ? ” asked Adolay. 

“We should have had tojscramble on the floes 
and wait there till — till we died together.” 

He said this with some degree of solemnity, for 
it was an uncomfortable reflection. 

“I would prefer-*-” she stopped suddenly, for 
in the haste of the moment she was going to have 
said — “that we should live- together rather than 
die together ” — but maiden modesty, not unfamiliar 
even among savages, restrained her, and Cheenbuk, 
who was not observant in the matter of imperfect 
speech, took no notice of the 'abrupt pause. 

The evening was far advanced, for it had taken 
them the whole day to reach the islet, owing to 
the windings of the lanes of water and the fre- 
quency with which they had to turn back in con- 
sequence of having run into what may be- termed 
blind alleys. It was resolved, therefore, that they 
should rest there for the night. 

As there was no fear, by that time, of their 
being pursued by Indians, Cheenbuk resolved that 
they should have a good warm supper to recruit 
their somewhat exhausted energies. Of course 
Adolay was only too glad to fall in with this 
arrangement, and said that she would go along 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 117 

the shore and collect small masses of drift-wood 
for the fire, while her companion lifted up the 
canoe and made the encampment. 

“ You will not find much drift-wood, I think,” 
said Cheenbuk, as she was about to set off, “for 
the currents don’t set upon this island much. 
The long point of the bigger island over there 
turns the currents off from this one, but perhaps 
you may find a little.” 

Adolay found this to be true, for she wandered 
several. miles along shore — indeed, went nearly 
round the islet, which was a low rocky one, almost 
devoid of verdure — before she had collected a 
good bundle of dry sticks. 

Meanwhile the Eskimo set to work with char- 
acteristic enthusiasm to arrange the camp. Choos- 
ing a spot where a low wall of rock sheltered him 
from the north, he laid a few stones in a heap 
to mark the place for the fire. Then he carried 
up the canoe, and laid it dowmbottom up, so as to 
face .the fire. Underneath it he made a snug nest 
of twigs and .leaves for Adolay to rest in. Then, 
on the opposite side of the fire, he made another 
lair — a sort of open-air . nest — for himself, after 
which he collected a good many of the small dead 
twigs among the scrub, which he piled up in 
readiness around a large piece of drift timber 
he had the good fortune to discover not far from 
the spot where they landed. 


118 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


This done, he stood back a few paces and admired 
his handiwork, his head on one side with quite 
the air of a connoisseur. 

Presently he began to wish that Adolay would 
return, and then sat down to make fire by the 
slow and laborious Eskimo process of rubbing two 
pieces of stick rapidly together until the friction 
should ignite them. He was still absorbed in the 
work when the Indian girl returned with a 
bundle of wood which she threw down beside 
the rest. 

“You have had better luck than I expected,” 
said Cheenbuk. “See, I have made you a nest to 
sleep in,” he added, pointing to the canoe. 

“ It is very nice,” she observed, with an appre- 
ciative smile. “ What are you doing ? ” 

“ Making fire,” he answered, resuming his work 
and continuing it with such vigour that beads of 
perspiration stood on his brow. 

Without speaking, the girl went to the canoe 
and opened a bundle wrapped in deerskin which 
formed part of its lading. She drew therefrom a 
firebag, richly ornamented with beads, such as 
Indian chiefs and braves are wont to carry under 
their belts. It contained the pipe, tinder-box, 
flint, steel, and tobacco which are usually supplied 
by tha fur-traders to the Eed men. 

Cheenbuk was so interested in the proceedings 
of his companion that he ceased to carry on his 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


119 


own work, thereby allowing the sticks to cool and 
losing his labour. 

“You need not work so hard,” said Adolay, 
taking a flinty steel, and piece of tinder from the 
bag and, beginning to strike a light, to the great 
interest of the Eskimo. “We manage to get fire 
differently and more easily.” 

In a few seconds a spark caught on the tinder, 
which began to smoke, and the girl, wrapping it 
in a bundle of dry grass, whirled it round at arm’s- 
length until the draught caused it to burst into 
flame. Thrusting the burning mass into the 
heart of the twigs, which had been previously pre- 
pared, she glanced up at her protector with a look 
that said plainly, “Watch, now, the result.” 

But Cheenbuk required no encouragement to 
do so. He had been watching all the time with 
mouth, as well as eyes, wide open, and a loud 
“ hoi ! hoi ! ho ! ” burst from him as the flame 
leaped up, suffusing the canoe and wall of rock 
and the near objects with a ruddy glow which 
paled everything else to a cold grey by contrast. 

“ I ’ve seen that once before,” exclaimed Cheen- 
buk with delight, taking up the firebag tenderly, 
“ and have often wished that I had these things for 
making fire.” 

“Well, you may have them now. They be- 
longed to my father. All our men carry bags 
with these things in them.” 


120 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ And I Ve seen this too — once,” continued the 
youth, smiling, as he pulled out a ^tobacco-pipe. 
Then he bent his head suddenly, put his nose to the 
bag, and made a face expressive of supreme disgust. 

“Ho ! and I’ve seen, this too. I have, tasted it, 
and after tasting it I was very-miserable — so miser- 
able that I hope never to be as miserable again!” 

As he spoke he looked at Adolay with that 
extreme -solemnity which was one of the charac- 
teristics of his face. 

The girl returned the look, but did not smile. 
She did not speak, but waited for more. 

“ The man who showed me these things was a 
good man,” continued Cheenbuk. “ 1 do not know 
his name, but I liked him much. Yet I think he 
was not wise to fill his mouth with smoke and 
his inside with sickness.” 

“ Was he sick ? ” asked Adolay. 

“ No — he was not, but-^I was.” 

While he was speaking he drew a long piece of 
Canada twist tobacco out of the bag, and looked at 
it sagaciously for some time, nodding his head as 
if he knew all about it. 

“ Yes, that is the thing he put in the pipe, and, 
after making a small fire over it, drew the smoke 
into himself. At first I thought he would die or 
catch fire and burst — but he — he didn’t, and he 
seemed to like it.” 

“ All our men like it,” said Adolay ; “ they 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


121 


smoke every day — sometimes all day. And some 
of our -women like it too.” 

“ Do you like jt ? ” asked the Eskimo, quickly. 

“ No, I don’t like it.” 

“Good — that is well. Now, we will cook some 
of your dried meat for supper.” 

By that time the fire was blazing cheerily. As 
the shades of night deepened, the circle of light 
grew more and more ruddy until it seemed like a 
warm cosy chamber in the heart of a cold grey 
getting. A couple of small stakes were thrust into 
the ground in such a way that the two pieces of 
venison impaled on them were presented to the 
heart of the fire. Soon a frizzling sound was 
heard; then odours of a kind-dear to the hearts 
of hungry, souls — to say nothing of their* noses — 
began to . arise, and the couple thus curiously 
thrown together sat down side by side to enjoy 
themselves, and supply the somewhat clamorous 
demands of Nature. 

They said little while feeding, but when the 
venison steaks had wellnigh disappeared, a word 
or two began tq pass to and fro. At last Cheenbuk 
arose, and, taking a small cup of birch-bark, which, 
with a skin of water, formed part of the supplies 
provided by- Adolay, he filled it to the* brim, and 
the two concluded their supper with the cheering 
fluid. 

“ Ah ! ” sighed the girl, when she had disposed 


122 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


of her share, “the white .traders bring us a black 
stuff which we mix with water- hot, and find it 
very good to drink.” 

“ Yes ? What isit ? ” asked Cheenbuk, applying 
his lips a second time with infinite zest to the 
water. 

“ I know not what it is. The white men call it 
tee,” said Adolay, dwelling with affectionate em- 
phasis on the ee’s. 

“ Ho ! I should like to taste that teee,” said the 
youth, with exaggerated- emphasis on the- ee’s. 
“Is it better than water?” 

“ I ’in not sure of. that,” answered the girl, with 
a gaze of uncertainty at the fire, “ but we like it 
better than water — the. women do ; the men are 
fonder of fire-water, when they can get it, but the 
white traders seldom give us any, and they never 
give us much. We women are very glad of that, 
for the fire-water makes our men mad and wish to 
fight. Teee, when we take too much of it — which 
we always do — only makes us sick.” 

“ Strange,” said Cheenbuk, with a look of 
profundity worthy of Solomon, “ that your people 
should be so fond of smokes and drinks that make 
them sick and mad when they have so much of 
the sparkling water that makes u$ comfortable ! ” 

Adolay made no reply to this, for her mind was 
not by nature philosophically disposed, though 
she was intelligent enough to admire the sagacity 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


123 


of a remark that seemed to her fraught with 
illimitable significance. 

“Have you any more strange things in your 
bundle ? ” asked the Eskimo, whose curiosity was 
awakened by what had already been extracted from 
it. “ Have you some of the teee, or the fire-water, 
or any more of the thing that smokes — what you 
call it ? ” 

“ Tubuko — no, I have no more of that than you 
saw in the firebag. The white men sometimes 
call it . bukey, and I have no fire-water or tee. 
Sometimes we put a nice sweet stuff into the tee 
which the white men call shoogir. The Indian 
girls are very fond of shoogSv^ They like it best 
without being mixed with water and tee. But 
we have that in our own land. We make it from 
the juice of a tree.” 

The interest with which Cheenbuk gazed into 
the girl’s face while she spoke, was doubtless due 
very much to the prettiness thereof, but it is only 
just to add that the number and nature of the 
absolutely new subjects which were thus opened 
up to him had something to do with it. His 
imperfect knowledge of her language, however, 
had a bamboozling effect. 

“ Here is a thing which I think you will be glad 
to see,” continued the girl, as she extracted a small 
hatchet from the bundle. 

“Yes indeed; that is a very good thing,” said 


124 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


the youth, handling the implement with almost 
affectionate tenderness. “I had one once — and 
that, too, is a fine thing,” he added, as she drew 
a scalping-knife from her bundle. 

“ You may have them both,” she said ; “ I knew 
you would need them on the journey.” 

Cheenbuk was too much lost in admiration of 
the gifts — which to him were so splendid — that 
he failed to find words to express his gratitude, 
but, seizing a piece of firewood and resting it on 
another piece, he set to work with the hatchet, 
and sent the chips flying in all directions for some 
time, to the amusement and no small surprise of 
his companion. Then he laid down the axe, and, 
taking up the. scalping-knife, began to whittle 
sticks with renewed energy. Suddenly he paused 
and looked at Adolay with ineffable delight. 

“ They are good ? ” she remarked with a cheer- 
ful nod. 

“ Good, good, very good ! We have nothing 
nearly so good. All our things are made of-dbone 
or stone.” 

“Now,” returned the girl, with a blink of her 
lustrous eyes, and a yawn of her pretty mouth, 
which Nature had not yet taught her to conceal 
with her little hand, “now, I am sleepy. I will 
lie down.” 

Cheenbuk replied with a smile, and pointed to 
the canoe with his. nose. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


125 


Adolay took the hint, crept into the nest which 
the gallant youth had prepared for her, curled 
herself up like a hedgehog, and was sound asleep 
in five minutes. 

The Eskimo, meanwhile, resumed his labours 
with the^ scalping-knife, and whittled on far into 
the night — whittled until he had .reduced every 
stick within reach of his hand to a. mass of 
shavings— a beaming childlike glow of satisfaction 
resting on his handsome face all the while, until 
the embers of the fire began to sink low, and only 
an occasional flicker of flame shot up to enlighten 
the increasing darkness. Then he laid the two 
implements down and covered them carefully with 
a piece of deerskin, while his countenance resumed 
its wonted gravity of expression. 

Drawing up his knees until his chin rested on 
them, and clasping his . hands round them, he sat 
for a long time brooding there and gazing into the 
dying embers of the fire ; then he rose, stretched 
himself, and sauntered down to the shore. 

The night, although dark for the Arctic regions 
at that time of the year, was not by any means 
obscure. On the contrary, it might have passed 
for a very fair moonlight night in more southern 
climes, and the flush of the coming day in the 
eastern sky was beginning to warm the tops of the 
higher among the ice-masses, thereby rendering 
the rest of the scene more coldly grey. The calm 


126 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


which had favoured the escape of our fugitives 
still prevailed, and the open spaces had gradually 
widened until the floes had assumed the form of 
ghostly white islets floating in a blue-black sea, in 
which the fantastic cliffs, lumps, and pinnacles 
were sharply reflected as in a mirror. 

There was a solemnity and profound quietude 
about the scene and the hour which .harmonised 
well with the sedate spirit of the young Eskimo, 
as he stood there for a long time contemplating 
the wonders and the beauties of the world around 
and about him. 

We know not what passes through the minds 
of untutored men in such circumstances, but who 
shall dare to say that the Spirit of their Creator 
may not be holding intercourse with them at such 
times ? 

Turning his back at length upon the sea, 
Cheenbuk returned to the camp, lay down on the 
couch which he had made for himself on the op- 
posite side of the fire from the canoe, and, in a few 
moments more, was in the health- and strength- 
restoring regions of Oblivion. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


127 


CHAPTER XH. 

HOME— SWEET HOME— AND SMOKE, ETC. 

The favouring calm continued until Cheenbuk 
with his companion arrived at-Waruskeek. 

It was about mid-day when their canoe turned 
round the headland and entered the inlet near the 
head of which lay the Eskimo village. 

The boy Anteek happened to be. standing on 
the shore at the time, beside the young girl Nootka. 
They were looking out to sea, and observed the 
canoe the moment it turned the point of rocks. 

“ Hoi — oi ! ” yelled vAnteek with an emphasis 
that caused the inhabitants of the whole village 
to leap out of every hut with the celerity of 
squirrels, and rush to the shore. Here those 
who had first arrived were eagerly commenting 
on the approaching visitors. 

“ A ^ kayak of the-Eire-spouters !” cried Anteek, 
with a look of intense^glee, for nothing was so 
dear to the soul of that volatile youth, as that 
which suggested" danger, except, perhaps, that 
which involved fun. 


128 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“The kayak is indeed that of a Fire-spouter,’ 
said old Mangivik, shaking his grey head, “ but I 
don’t think any Fire-spouter among them would be 
such a fool as to run his head into our very jaws.” 

“ I ’m not ready to agree with you, old man,” 
began Gartok. 

“No; you ’re never ready to agree with any 
one ! ” growled Mangivik^parenthetically. 

“ For the Fire-spouters,” continued Gartok, dis- 
regarding the growl, “ are afraid ofmo thing. Why 
should they be when they can spout wounds and 
death so easily ? ” 

Poor Gartok spoke feelingly, for his wounded 
leg had reduced his vigour considerably, and he 
was yet only able to limp about with the aid of a 
stick, while his lieutenant Ondikik was reduced 
to skin and bone by the injury to his back. 

Suddenly Mangivik became rather excited. 

“Woman,” he said earnestly to his wife, who 
stood beside him, “do you see who steers the 
kayak ? Look, your eyes are better than mine.” 

“No. I do not.” 

“ Look again !” cried Anteek, pushing forward 
at that moment. “ He is not a Fire-spouter. He 
is one of^us ! But the one in front is ar Fire- 
spouter woman. Look at the man ! Don’t you 
know him ? ” 

There was an intensity of suppressed fervour in 
the manner of the boy, and an unwonted glitter in 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


129 


his eyes, which impressed every one who noticed 
him. 

“Yes, he is one of., us,” said Mangivik, shading 
his eyes with one hand, “ and he has stolen a Fire- 
spouting girl with her kayak !” 

There was a look o£ pride in the face of the old 
man as he spoke, but it was as nothing to the 
shout of triumph-^-the shriek of ecstasy — that 
burst from Anteek as he uttered the word — 

“ Cheenbuk !” 

Just then a strong clear voice came rolling over 
the water to the shore, and a roar of joy burst 
from the whole, assemblage, for there was no mis- 
taking the voice of their comrade anddbest hunter. 
The hearts of Nootka and her mother beat with no 
ordinary flutter as they heard the familiar shout, 
and as for Anteek, he went into a paroxysm of 
delight, which he sought to relieve by bounding 
and yelling till the canoe touched the shore. 
Then, by a powerful effort, he subdued himself, and 
turned his energies into a prolonged look of 
unu tterable amazement at Adolay. 

Of course the eyes of the entire population were 
turned in the same direction — for Eskimos do not 
count it’ rude to -stare — so that the poor girl felt 
somewhat abashed, and shrank a little behind her 
stout protector. 

Observing the action, Cheenbuk took hold of 
her arm gently and led her towards his mother. 

I 


130 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ This is my mother, Adolay,” he said ; a she will 
take care of you.” 

“Your ^wifeV’ asked Mrs. Mangivik, with an 
anxious look. 

“No, not my wife,” replied the youth, with a 
laugh. “Take her to our hut, you and Nootka, 
while I go and speak with the men.— She saved 
my .-life, father,” he added, turning to Mangivik, 
“ be. good to her.” 

On hearing this, Nootka and her mother took 
the girl affectionately by both hands and led her 
away. 

Cheenbuk meanwhile went up to the big hut, 
just outside of which was held a meeting of nearly 
the.whole- population, to receive amaccount of his 
adventuresffrom the man whom they had long ago 
given up as lost. 

“ My friends,” he began, surveying the expectant 
assembly with a grave straightforward look, “ when 
I went by myself to the Whale River, my intention 
was to hunt around and find out if there were many 
birds and beasts on lands near to it, and if many 
men lived or hunted there, for it came into my 
mind that this little island of -Waruskeek is not 
the best-place in the world 1 9 live in, for our tribe 
is continuallydncreasing. I thought that if there 
were Fire-spouters there already, we must be con- 
tent with the. lands we have, got, for it is not right 
to take what belongs to-other men.” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


131 


Cheenbuk paused here and looked round, 
because he knew that he was treading on some- 
what new and delicate, ground in thus asserting a 
principle of „right ; and he was not mistaken, for, 
while the most of his audience remained silent, 
several of them expressed dissent. 

“Besides,” he continued, “it is not wise to 
attack men with fire-spouters, which send into 
their enemies heavy little things like that which 
was lately picked out of Gartok’s leg ; the same 
as still seems to be sticking in Ondikik’s back.” 

“ Ho I ho ! ” exclaimed a number of the men, 
as if that truth commended itself to their under- 
standings. 

“ Well, when I got to the river, I found plenty 
of -white whales at the mouth of it, and great 
plenty of birds of all kinds, and of deer — a land 
good for man to dwell in, with many trees that 
would make . sledge-runners, and much dead 
wood for our fires, and no one living there, nor 
signs of anybody. Then I thought to myself, 
Why should we. live always among the floes and 
bergs ? The few Fire-spouters whom we have seen 
and heard of have better food, better homes, better 
tools of every kind. Why should not we have the 
same ? ” 

Here the wise Cheenbuk drew from the breast 
of his sealskin coat the axe and scalping-knife 
which Adolay had given him, and held them up. 


132 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


This was a politic move, for it won over almost the 
entire audience to the young hunter’s, views, while 
looks of ardent admiration were bestowed on the 
coveted implements. 

“ When men find it not .easy to get food,” 
resumed Cheenbuk, in the tone and with the air 
of a man who has much to say and means to say 
it, “ they change to some, place where hunting is 
better. When fish become, scarce, they do not 
remain still, but go to places where the fishing is 
better. They always seek for- something that 
is better and. better. Is this not true ? Is this 
not wise ? ” 

“ Ho ! ho !” exclaimed the assembly, assenting. 

“ Why, then, shoulcLnot we go to a land where 
there is -much that is far. better than we find here, 
and live as the. Eire-spouters live ? Did the 
Great Maker of all things intend that we should 
remaimcontent with these treeless islands among 
the. ice, when there are lands not very far away 
where we may find much of all kinds of things 
that are far. better ? If it is wise to change our 
hunting and fishing grounds close at hand, surely 
it may be wise to change to those that are far away 
— especially when we know that they are better, and 
likely to make us more xomfor table and happy.” 

This suggestion was such a tremendous, innova- 
tion on ordinary Eskimo ideas, such a radical 
conception of change and upheaval of age-long 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


133 


habits, that the assembly gazed in awe-struck and 
silent wonder at the bold young man, much as the 
members of Parliament of the last century might 
have gazed if any reckless. M. P. had dared to 
propose, universal-suffrage or vote by ballot, or 
to suggest that measures should henceforth be 
framed in accordance with the -Golden Rule. 

“ After I had travelled a short way inland,” 
continued Cheenbuk, “ I met a JFire-spouter. He 
was all alone. No one was with him. He pointed 
his spouter at me, and it clicked but would not 
spout — I don’t know why. I threw my spear. It 
went straight — as you know it always does — but 
the man was -quick ; he put his head to one side 
and escaped. Again he pointed his spouter at me, 
but again it only. clicked. Then I rushed upon 
him and caught hold of it before it could spout. 
We wrestled-r-but he was a very strong man, and 
I could not overcome him — and he could not 
overcome me. Our breath came short. The sweat 
poured down our faces and our eyes glared ; but 
when we looked steadily into each other’s eyes we 
saw that we were both men of, peace. We let our 
bodies go soft, and dropped the spouter on the 
ground. 

“ ‘ Why-should we fight ? ’ said he. 

“ ‘ That was just in my thought,’ said I. 

“ So we stood up, and he took hold of my hand in 
the way that the white traders do, and squeezed it. 


134 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


I will show you how. — Give me your hand, Anteek 
— no, the other one.” 

The boy extended his hand, and Cheenbuk, 
grasping it, gave it a squeeze that caused the little 
fellow to yell and throw the assembly into convul- 
sions of laughter, for Eskimos, unlike the sedate 
Indians, dearly love a practical joke. 

From this point Cheenbuk related the rest of his 
interview with the Indian, and was particularly 
graphic in his description of the -pipe, which he 
exhibited to them, though he ^.refrained from any 
reference to its effect upom himself. Then he 
discoursed of his subsequent exploration of the 
mainland, and finally came to the point where he 
met and rescued Rinka.— “But tell me, before I 
speak more, is Rinka dead?” 

“ No, she is getting well.” 

“That is- good,” he continued, in a tone of 
satisfaction. “ Old Uleeta, I doubt not, told you 
of the fight I had with the Fire-spouters ? ” 

“ She did,” cried Anteek, with delight, “ and how 
you gave them- sore hearts ! ” 

“H’m! they gave me a sore heart too; but I 
don’t care now ! And they would have-roasted me 
alive, but one of their girls had pity on me, helped 
me tOL escape, and came away with me. Adolay is 
her name— the girl you saw to-day.” 

“ Ho ! ho-4 hoi — oi ? ” broke forth the chorus of 
satisfaction. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE -WORLD 


135 


“Yes, but for her,” continued Cheenbuk,“ I 
should have been under the. ground and my hair 
would have been fluttering on the dress ofji Fire- 
spouter chief by this time. Now, I have promised 
this girl that I will get a large party of our young 
men to go back with her to Whale River and give 
her back to her father and mother.” 

Ac this there were strong murmurs of dissent, 
and a man whom we have not yet introduced to 
the reader lifted up his voice. 

This man’s name was Aglootook. He was the 
medjcine-man of the tribe — a sort of magician ; a 
sharp, clever, unscrupulous,, presumptuous, and 
rather fine -looking-fellow, who held the people in 
some degree of subjection through their super- 
stitious fears, though there were some of the men 
among them who would not^give in to his authority. 
As Eskimos have no regular chiefs, this man tried 
to -occupy the. position of one. He had just 
returned from a hunting expedition the day before, 
and was jealous of the interest aroused by Cheen- 
buk’s arrival. Moreover, Cheenbuk was. one of the 
few men of the tribe whom he disliked, and rather 
feared. 

“ What folly is this that I hear ? ” said Aglootook, 
as he frowned on the assembly. “ Are we to get 
up a war-party and put ourselves to all this trouble 
for a woman^and a Fire-spouter woman ! ” 

“It is not a -war-party that I - want,” said 


136 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Cheenbuk quietly. “ It is ^peace-party, and such 
a strong one that there will be no fear of war. I 
will conduct it, and, as I know the way, will go by 
my self, unarmed to the village of the men of the 
woods, tell them that I have brought back their 
girl, and that a large- party of my people are 
waiting at the mouth of the river with plenty of 
skins and walrus teeth and other things to trade 
with them.” 

“ But does any one think they will believe that ?” 
said Aglootook with something of scorn in his 
looks and tone. “ Will the Fire-spouters noFaccept 
the girl and roast jCheenbuk, and then meet us 
with their jspouters and kill _many of us, even 
though we should beat them at last ? ” 

“It is my opinion there is- something in that,” 
remarked Mangivik. 

“ Besides,” continued the magician, “ what folly 
is it to talk of changing our- customs, which have 
never been changed since the- First Man created 
fish and. animals ! Are we not satisfied with whales 
and walruses, bears and seals, deer and birds ? Is 
not our snow igloe as comfortable as the Fire- 
spouters’ jskin tent? What do we care for their 
ornaments or other things ? What does Cheenbuk 
know about the Great Maker of all things ? Has 
he- seen him ? Has he talked with him ? If there 
is such a - Maker, did he not place us- here, and 
surround us with all the things that wemeed, and 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 137 

intend us to remain here ? Why should we go 
and look for -better things? If he had- thought 
that woods and lakes and rivers had been good for 
us, would he not have made these things here for 
us, so that we should have no- need to go far away 
to seek for them — ” 

“ Ay, and if Aglootook is bright,” interrupted 
Cheenbuk in a- calm but firm voice, “ why should 
we go far away to seek the- bear, the walrus, and 
the seal? Why does Aglootook go -hunting at 
all ? If the „ Great Maker thought these things 
good for us, would he not have made them to walk 
up to our igloes and ask to be killed and eaten ? 
Why should they, even do. that ? why not walk 
straight down our throats and save all trouble? 
Is it not rather quite .plain that man was made 
withjtvants and wishes and the. power to satisfy 
them, and so advance from good to better ? Does 
not Aglootook prove by his own conduct that 
he thinks so ? He might make life easy by sitting 
near his hut and killing for .food the little birds 
that come about our dwellings, but he goes on long 
hard journeys, and takes much -trouble, for he 
knows that slices of fat seal and walrus- ribs are 
better than little birds ! ” 

There was a general laugh at the expense of the 
magician, for his mental powers were inferior to 
those of Cheenbuk, and he felt himself, unable 
to see through the entanglement of his logic. 


138 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“Boh !” he ejaculated, with a sweep of his long 
arm, as if to clear away such ridiculous arguments. 
“ What stuff is this that T hear ? Surely, Cheenbuk 
has been smitten with the.folly of the Fire-spouters. 
His words are like a lamp with a very bad wick : 
it makes too much smoke, and confuses every- 
thing near it.” 

“Aglootook is right,” said Cheenbuk, who 
resolved to end the^dispute at this point, “ many 
words are like the. smoke of a bad lamp: they 
confuse, especially when they are not well under- 
stood, but the Fire-spouters confuse themselves 
with reaksmoke as well as with words. See, here 
is one of their things ; the white traders call it a 
paip, or piep.” 

As he spoke he opened theJirebag which Adolay 
had given him and took out of it the- clay pipe, 
tobacco, and materials for- producing fire. The 
medicine-man was instantly -forgotten, and the 
mouths as well as the eyes of the whole assembly 
openecL in unspeakable^ wonder as Cheenbuk 
went through the complex processes of filling and 
lighting the pipe. First he cut up_some of the 
Canada twist, which, he explained, was the tubuk 
of the white men. Then having filled the pipe, he 
proceeded to strike a light with flint and steel. 
In this he was not very successful at first, not yet 
having had muclx practice. He chipped his 
knuckles a good deal, and more than once knocked 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 139 

the flint and tinder out of his fingers. But his 
audience was not,critical. They regarded this as 
part of the performance. When, however, he at 
last struck a succession of sparks, he also struck 
an equal number of short, sharp expressions of 
astonishment out of his friends, and when the 
tinder caught there was a suppressed, grunt of 
surprise and pleasure ; but when he put the fire 
into the pipe and began to smoke, there burst forth 
a prolonged shout of . laughter. To see a man 
smoking like a bad lamp was a joke that seemed 
to tickle those unsophisticated children of the ice 
immensely. 

“Is it good?” asked one. “Do you like it?” 
cried another. “Let ma try it !” begged a. third. 

Mindful of past .experiences, Cheenbuk did not 
indulge in manywvhiffs. 

“No* no,” he said, taking the pipe from his 
lips with solemn gravity. “Not every one who 
wishes it shall have adaste of this to-day. Only 
a great man of our tribe shall try it. Some one 
who has done great things above his fellows.” 

He looked pointedly at-Aglootook as he spoke, 
with solemnity on his face but mischief in his 
heart. 

Oolalik, however, with the reverse of mischief 
in his heart, interfered unwittingly with his 
designs. He seized hold of Anteek, who chanced 
to be near him, and thrust him forward. 


140 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“Here/’ said he, “is one of the great, ones of 
our tribe, at least he will be one if he lives long, 
for he has killed a walrus all by himself — on 
land too!” 

The boy, although pretty full of. what is 
known among the civilised as cheek,” was 
almost ^overwhelmed by this public^ recognition 
of his prowess, and was about to retire with a 
half-shy expression, when the- audience received 
the proposal with a burst of applause. 

“ Yes, yes,” they cried ; “ he is a~brave boy : let 
him try it.” 

Seeing that they were set .upon it, Cheenbuk 
handed the pipe to the boy, and bade him draw 
the smoke in and puff it ouVtaking care not to 
swallow, it. 

But Anteek did swallow, some at_ first and 
choked a little, to the great^ amusement of the 
assembly. His pride, carried him through, how- 
ever; he tried again, and was successful. Then 
his “ cheek ” came back and he went on, puffing 
out far larger volumes than his instructor had 
done. 

“ You had better, stop,” said Cheenbuk, reaching 
out his hand to take the... pipe ; but the boy 
dodged him with a. laugh and went on worse 
than ever. Seeing this r Cheenbuk smiled^signifi- 
cantly and ^waited. He had not to^wait long. 
Suddenly the face of Anteek became unusually 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


141 


pale. Placing the pipe hurriedly in the hands 
of a man near him, he bolted out of the hut and 
disappeared. \ 

He was not^seen again during the-remainder 
of that conference V 


142 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


CHAPTER XIII. 

DOINGS IN WARUSKEEK. 

While Cheenbuk was thus entrancing the 
souls of his friends near the big hut, his mother 
and sister were exercising hospitality to the 
Indian girl in their private residence. It was 
rather a dark and smoky residence, with only 
one hole in the<roof, about- eight inches square, 
to let in light. If truth must be told, it was also 
somewhat* dirty, for, besides having only one 
large room in which living, cooking, receiving 
company, and sleeping were carried on, the dogs 
of the family were permitted to repose there — 
when they were good! Anything approaching 
to badness ensured their summary and violent 
ejection. 

Branching from this family room was a little 
recess, screened off by skin curtains, which formed 
Nootka’s private apartment or boudoir. It was 
singularly unlike the boudoirs of other lands ! 
Black smoke, instead of whitewash r coloured the 
walls and ceiling. No glass hung on the wall 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


143 


to reflect the visage of the Arctic^ beauty, but 
there were several pegs, from one of which hung 
Nootka’s sealskin bad-weather jacket, the tadpole- 
tail of which reached to the ground, while from 
another depended a pair of her long waterproof 
boots. One half of the floor being raised about 
eight inches, constituted the Eskimo maiden’s 
couch— also her chair and sofa. There was no 
table, but the -skull of a walrus did service as a 
stools 

To this apartment Nootka introduced her 
young Indian friend, leaving her mother in the 
outer hall, and the two maidens at once began, 
as might have been expected, an earnest and 
confidential conversation. In their eagerness 
they had not reflected that each knew not one 
word of the other’s language, but of course the 
first sentences opened their eyes to the melan- 
choly fact. 

They had, indeed, been opened already to some 
extent, but not so impressively as now when they 
longed for a good talk. 

“Come here,” said Nootka — of course in 
Eskimo — as she dragged rather than led her 
new friend into the boudoir; “I want you to 
tell me all about your saving my brother’s life.” 
p “ I don’t- understand a word you say,” replied 
Adolay — of course in.Dogrib-Indian — with a look 
of great perplexity in her wide-open eyes. 


144 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“Oh! .I’m stupid and sorry. I forgot. You 
don’t speak our language.” 

“What' funny sounds ! It seems like nonsense,” 
remarked Adolay — more to herself than to her 
friend. 

“ So curious ! ” soliloquised Nootka ; “ what one 
might expect from a seal if it tried to speak. 
Say that over again. I like to hear it.” 

The perplexity on the face of the Indian 
maid deepened, and she shook her head, while 
the look of fun in that of the Eskimo maiden 
increased, and she smiled knowingly. 

Here at last they had hit on common ground 
— tapped a universal spring of-human- communi- 
cation. Adolay at once beamed an answering 
smile, and displayed all her brilliant teeth in 
doing so. This drew a soft laugh of pleasure 
from Nootka and an intelligent nod. 

Nods and smiles, however, pleasant in their 
way though they be, form a very- imperfect 
means of intercourse between souls which wish 
to unite, and the perplexed expression was 
beginning again to steal over both their youthful 
countenances, when something in the nature of 
a happy thought seemed to strike the Indian 
girl, for a gleam as of sunlight flashed from her 
eyes and teeth, as she suddenly beat with her 
little fist three times on her own < bosom, exclaim- 
ing, “Adolay! Adolay I Adolay!” with much 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


145 


emphasis. Then, poking her finger against her 
friend’s breast, she added-^-“ You ? you ? ” 

Here again was “a touch of nature” which 
made these two damsels “kin.” Although the 
“ You ? you ? ” was not intelligible to the Eskimo, 
the gaze of inquiry was a familiar tongue. With 
a smile of delight she nodded, struck her own 
bosom with her fist, and said “Nootka ! Nootka !” 
Then, tapping her friend, she said — “ Addi-lay ? ” 
The Indian, nodding assent, tapped her in return 
and exclaimed “ Nooot-ko ? ” 

After this little sparring match they both burst 
into a fit of hearty-daughter, which roused the 
curiosity of Mrs. Mangivik in the outer hall. 

“What is the-joke?” shouted the old lady, 
who was hospitably preparing a feast of steaks 
and ribs for her guest. 

“ Oh, mother, she is so funny !^-Come, Addi-lay, 
let her hear your fun,” said the girl, taking her 
guest’s hand and leading her back to the hall. 
“ Her name is Addi-lay. I know, for she told me 
herself. We quite understand each other already. 
— Speak to mother, Addi-lay. Tell her some- 
thing.” 

“I don’t know what you want me to do, 
Nooot-ko,” returned the Indian girl, with a bright 
look, “ but I know that whatever you are saying 
must betkind, for you ’ve got such a nice face.” 

By way of emphasising her opinion she took 
K 


146 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


the face between her hands and laid her own 
against it. 

We have never been quite sure as to what 
Adolay did on this occasion — whether she rubbed 
noses or chins or touched lips. All that we are 
sure of is that the operation was equivalent to a 
kiss, and that it was reciprocated heartily. 

“ Didn’t I tell you, mother, that she was funny ? 
I’ll explain to you what she said when we are 
alone ; but Addi-lay is hungry now, and so am I. 
Let us feed, mother.” 

Without more ado the trio sat down beside the 
cooking lamp and began to do justice to the 
savoury viands, the odour of which was so enticing 
that it was too much for the dogs of the family. 
These had to be expelled by means of old bones. 
Mrs. Mangivik being an expert' shot with such 
artillery, the hall was soomcleared. 

After the meal, conversation was resumed, and 
conducted with considerably greater ease, owing to 
the chief subject of it being the Indian girl’s 
costume, which was somewhat elaborate, for, being 
a chief’s daughter, her dress was in many respects 
beautifuD-especially those portions of it, such as 
the leggings and the head-dress, which were pro- 
fusely ornamented with coloured beads and porcu- 
pine-quill work. The examination of the various 
parts occupied a considerable time. The- mode of 
ascertaining- names had been already- discovered, 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WOULD 147 

and looks of - admiration require no translation, so 
that the three women were deeply engaged in a 
most interesting, talk when Cheenbuk and his 
father entered the hut after the conference. 

“Ribs, ribs and slices! Quick, woman,” cried 
Mangivik cheerily as he sat down. “ Cheenbuk has 
been talking and I have been listening till we are 
both quite hungry. — That is a pretty girl you have 
brought home with you, my son,” said the old man, 
'with a stare off approval. “ Almost as- pretty as 
some of our-own girls.” 

“ Much prettier, I think,” returned the youth, as 
he quietly selected a rib of walrus that seemed 
suitable to his capacity. 

“ Tell your mother how you got- hold of her,” 
said Mangivik, whose teeth were next moment 
fastened in a steak. 

Cheenbuk made no reply. Eskimo manners 
did not require an answer in the circumstances. 
But when he had taken the edge off his appetite — 
and it took a good deal of dental grinding to do 
that — he looked across at Adolay with a genial 
expression and began to give his mother and 
sister a second, and much more graphic,- edition 
of the- speech which he had just delivered to 
the men. 

Of course the narration served to strengthen the 
bonds of friendship which had already been formed 
between the Mangivik family and the Indian girl, 


148 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


who had been thus unexpectedly added to their 
circle. 

That evening Nootka begged her brother to give 
her % lesson in the Dogrib language. On the same 
evening, during a moonlight ramble, Adolay asked 
him to give her a little instruction in the Eskimo 
tongue, and, just before he retired for the night, 
his mother asked him if he intended to take the 
Indian girl as one of his wives. 

“ You know, mother,” was Cheenbuk s reply, “ I 
have always^ differed from my friends about wives. 
I think that one wife is enough for one man; 
sometimes too. much for him ! I also think that if 
it is fair for a man to choose a woman, it is also 
fair for the .woman to -choose the man. I would 
gladly take- Adolay for a wife, for she is good as 
well as pretty, but I do not know that she would 
take me for a husband.” 

“Have you not- asked her, then?” persisted 
Mrs. Mangivik. 

“No. I have been till now her protector. I can 
wait. If she wants to return to her people I have 
promised to take her to them.” 

“But surely my son is not bound to keep a 
promise given to one of our fire-spouting enemies ?” 

“ That may seem right to you, mother, but it 
seems wrong to me. I do not understand why I 
disagree with you, and with most of my people, 
but there is something inside of me which, I think, 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 149 

is not me. It tells me not to do many things that 
I want to do, and sometimes bids me go forward 
when I wish to draw back. What it is I cannot 
tell, but I must not disobey it, I will -not dis- 
obey it.” 

With this answer the old lady had to be content, 
for she could extract nothing more from her son 
after that but a smile. 

As for old Mangivik, he asked and said nothing, 
but he thought 'much. 

A few days after Cheenbuk’s arrival, it was 
arranged by the heads of the village that there 
should be a general- scattering of the- tribe for a 
great hunt after seals and wild- fowl, as provisions 
were not so plentiful as might have been desired. 
An expedition of this kind was always hailed with 
great glee by -Anteek, whose youth and very 
excitable disposition were not easily satisfied with 
the prosaic details of village life. 

Previous to setting out, however, an event 
occurred which was wellnigh attended with 
disastrous- consequences. 

It had been arranged that Cheenbuk and his 
friends Oolalik and Anteek should keep together 
in their kayaks, accompanied by an oomiak to 
carry the game. This woman’s boat was to be 
manned, so to speak, by young Uleeta, Cowlik, 
and two other girls. Adolay had been offered a 
place in it, but she preferred going in her own 


150 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


bark canoe, with the management of which she 
was familiar. Perhaps a touch of national pride 
had something to do with this preference of the 
Indian craft. Nootka, who had made several 
trials of the canoe, was judged sufficiently expert 
to wield the bow paddle. 

While preparations were being made, Adolay 
and Nootka went to the bay where the canoe was 
lying — a short distance from the village, on the 
other side of a high cliff that sheltered the bay 
from any breeze that might blow in from the sea. 
The light craft was turned bottom up on the beach, 
and the two girls carried it down to the water’s 
edge. Launching it, Nootka got in first, and 
Adolay was preparing to follow when a boyish 
shout- arrested her, and she saw Anteek come 
skimming round the point in his kayak, wielding 
his double-bladed paddle with great dexterity and 
power. In a few seconds the kayak was alongside 
the canoe and the boy stepped out upon the shore. 

“Let me try to- steer your canoe,” he said, point- 
ing eagerly to the place where the Indian girl was 
about to seat herself. 

Although Adolay did not understand the words, 
she had no difficulty with the boy’s expressive 
pantomime. She nodded assent cheerfully. 
Anteek took the paddle, stepped into her place, 
and the girl pushed, them off into deep water. 

Delighted with the novelty of themposition the 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


151 


two paddled away with, great vigour, and were soon 
a considerable distance from the shore. Then it 
occurred to Adolay that she would have some fun 
on her own account, and perhaps give her new friends 
a surprise. With this intent she floated the kayak 
and pushed it alongside of a flat stone in the water 
from which she could step into it. But she found 
that stepping into a small round hole in the centre 
of a covered craft was not the same as stepping 
into her own canoe, and even when, with great care, 
she succeeded, she found that her* garments ren- 
dered the process of sitting down rather difficult — 
not a matter of wonder when we consider that the 
kayak is meant only for- men. 

However, she succeeded at last, and grasping 
the paddle pushed off to sea. But the long paddle 
with its blade at each end perplexed her greatly, 
and she had not quite overcome the-awkwardness 
and begun to feel somewhat at ease when she 
chanced to touch on a ledge of rock that cropped 
up at that place near to the surface. Fortunately 
the rock was quite smooth, else it would have 
ripped up the skin with which the vessel was 
covered, but the shock and the paddle together 
were too-" much for the inexperienced girl. She 
lost her -balance, and next moment was in the water 
with the canoe bottom up, and she- incapable of 
extricating herself from the hole into which she 
had squeezed. 


152 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


It happened that Anteek and Nootka had 
observed- what Adolay was. about, and were watch- 
ing her with interest, so that before the kayak 
had turned fairly over their paddles dipped with 
a flash in the water and they rushed to the rescue. 
And not a moment too soon, for the poor girl’s 
power of endurance was. almost exhausted when 
her friends turned the kayak violently up. This 
was well, and Adolay drew a long gasping breath ; 
but now the inexperience of the rescuers came 
into play, for, being ignorant of the cranky nature 
of a birch-bark canoe, they acted without the 
necessary caution, the canoe overturned and they 
all .found themselves in the water. This time 
Adolay managed to wriggle out of her position, 
but being unable to swim she could only cling 
helplessly to the kayak. Nootka, equally helpless, 
clung to the canoe. Fortunately Anteek could 
swim like a fish, and bravely set to work to push 
both crafts towards the shore. But they were a 
long way out ; the weight of the two. girls made 
them difficult to. push, and, being separate, they 
had a tendency to diverge in different directions. 

After a few vigorous efforts, the boy, perceiving 
the difficulty and the extreme* danger of their 
position, at once set up a series of yells that awoke 
sympathetic echoes in the neighbourhood; but 
he did not for a moment relax his efforts to push 
his charge towards the shore. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


153 


Startled by the sudden outburst of alarming 
cries, several men ran along shore in the direction 
whence they came. Foremost among these was 
the powerful and active Oolalik. On turning the 
point and seeing what had occurred he plunged 
into the sea and swam like & dolphin to the 
rescue. Great was the size of his eyes, and intense 
the swelling of his heart, when he saw that Nootka 
was one of the swimmers. 

“ Take care of Addi-lay and the kayak,” he 
remarked to Anteek as he drew near, “ I will look 
afteT, Nootka and the canoe.” 

What Nootka felt on hearing these words we 
cannot tell, but any one might have seen that, 
despite her unpleasant position, there was a pleased 
expression on her wet face. 

A very few minutes more sufficed to bring them 
all safe to land, and no one was a whit the- worse, 
but as the girls required a complete change of 
garments, it was finally decided that the hunting 
expedition should be, postponed until the following 
day. 


154 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


CHAPTER XIY. 

IN THE WILD-WOODS AGAIN. 

While these events were taking place among 
the islands of the Arctic sea, the Indian chief 
Nazinred was slowly pushing his-canoe southward 
in the direction of- Great Bear Lake. He was ac- 
companied, as we have said, by. three like-minded 
comrades, one of whom was named- Mozwa — or 
Moose-deer — from some fancied- resemblance in 
him to that uncouth animal. 

But Mozwa, although uncouth, was by no means 
ungenial. On the contrary, he was a hearty good- 
natured fellow, who always tried to make the best 
of. things, and never gave way t© despondency, 
however gloomy or desperate might be the nature 
of his circumstances. Moreover, he was a big 
strong man, full of courage, in the prime of life, 
and. modest withal, so that he was usually rather 
inclined to- take than to. give advice — to be led, 
rather than to lead. 

For hours together these men dipped their 
paddles over the side in concert, without uttering 
a single word, or giving more than a slight ex- 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


155 


clamation when anything worthy of notice attracted 
their attention. The interchange of thought 
during tha labours of the day did not seem to 
strike ;fchem as -necessary. The mere being in 
company of each other was a sufficient bond of 
sympathy, until an encampment was reached each 
evening, supper disposed of, and the tobacco-pipes 
in full blast. Then, at last, their native reserve 
gave way, and they ventured to indulge a little — 
sometimes a good deal — in the feast of reason and 
the flow of soul. 

Yet the nature of their voyage was such that 
white men might have deemedwerbal intercourse 
an occasional necessity, as their route lay through 
much rugged and wild scenery, where the streams 
up which they had to force their way were in 
some places obstructed by rapids and shallows, 
and a. mistake on their part might have brought 
sudden disaster and ruin. For their canoe was 
deeply- laden with the furs which they had 
secured during the labours of the past winter, 
and on the- sale of which to the Yur-traders 
depended much of- their and their families-felicity 
or unisery during the winter which was to come. 
But the steersman and bow-man understood their 
work so well, and were so absolutely in accord, 
that the slightest action with the paddle on the 
part of either was understood and sympathetically 
met by the other. 


156 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


This unity of action is much more important 
than the navigators of lakes and oceans may 
suppose. In those almost currentless, waters a 
steersman in any, craft is usually self-sufficient, 
but among turbulent rapids, where rocks and 
shoals lie in all directions, and the deep-water 
track is'tortuous, with, it may be, abrupt turnings 
here and there, a bow-man is absolutely essential, 
and sometimes, indeed, may become the more 
important steersman of the two. 

One evening, long after the period when they 
left their native encampment, the friends paddled 
their little vessel into the backwater at the foot 
of a long rapid which roared in foaming white 
billows right ahead of them, offering what seemed 
an effectual barrier to their further progress — at 
least by water — and as the sides of the gorge 
through which the river rushed were almost per- 
pendicular, without margin and with impenetrable 
bush everywhere, advance by land seemedequally 
blocked. 

Looking backward, Mozwa gave his friend an 
interrogative glance. Nazinred replied with an 
affirmative nod, and, all four dipping their paddles 
vigorously at the same moment, they shot out into 
the stream. Almost before the canoe was caught 
by the current it swung quickly into another eddy, 
which carried it up a few yards close under the 
frowning cliffs. Here again the Indians paused, 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


157 


and gazed earnestly at the foaming torrent 
ahead, which, to an unpractised eye, might have 
seemed a raging flood, to enter which would ensure 
destruction. 

And indeed the two guides seemed to entertain 
some such thoughts, for they continued to gaze 
for a considerable time in silent- inaction. Then 
the bow-man threw back another glance; the 
steersman replied with another nod, and again 
the canoe shot out into the stream. 

This time the struggle was more severe. A 
short distance above the point where they entered 
it, a large rock reared its black head in mid-stream. 
Below it there was the usual long stretch of back- 
water. To reach the - tail of this- stretch was the 
object of the men, but the intervening rush was 
so powerful that it swept them down like a cork, 
so that they almost missed it despite their utmost 
efforts. 

“ Almost,” however, is a hopeful phrase. They 
were not quite beyond the influence of the eddy 
when they reached the end of the- tail. A super- 
human effort might yet save them from being 
swept back to the point far below that from which 
they had started. Mozwa was just the man to 
make such an effort. Nazinred and the others 
were pre-eminently the men to back him up. 

“ Ho ! ” cried Mozwa. 

“Hoi!” shouted Nazinred, as they bent their 


158 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


backs and cracked their sinews, and made the big 
veins stand up on their necks and foreheads. 

A few seconds more and the canoe was floating 
under the shelter of the black-headed rock, and 
the Indians rested while they surveyed the battle- 
ground yet before them. 

The next reach carried them right across the 
river to a place where a long bend produced a 
considerable sweep of eddying water, up which 
they paddled easily. Above this, one or two short 
bursts into the- tails caused by nearly sunken 
rocks brought them to a point full half-way up 
the -rapid. But now greater caption was needed, 
because anything like a miss would send them 
downward, and might hurl them with destructive 
force against the rocks and ledges which they had 
already passed. A birch-bark canoe is an ex- 
ceedingly_tender craft, which is not only certain 
of ^destruction if it strikes a. rock, but is pretty 
sure of being swamped if it even grazes one. 

With the utmost care, therefore, and consum- 
mate skill, they succeeded in pushing up 
the rapid, inch by inch, without mishap, until 
they reached the last shoot, when their- skill or 
good fortune, or whatever it was, -failed them, for 
they missed the last eddy, were swept downwards 
a few yards, and just touched a rock. It was 
a very slight touch. A boatman would have 
smiled at it ; nevertheless it drew from the Indians 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


159 


“ ho’s ! ” and “ hoi’s ! ” such as they had not given 
vent to since the voyage began. At the same 
time they rushed the canoe, with all their strength, 
for the nearest point of land. 

They were scarcely a minute in reaching it, yet 
in that brief space of time their craft had almost 
sunk, a large piece of the bark having been torn 
from its side. 

The instant they touched land the two leaders 
stepped quickly out, and, while they held the 
craft close to the bank, their comrades threw out 
the bundles of fur as fast as possible. Then the 
canoe was turned over to empty it, and carried up 
the bank. 

“ That is- good luck,” said Mozwa quietly, as 
they stood looking at the large hole in the canoe. 

“ I have seen -better luck,” remarked Nazinred, 
with something that might almost have been 
mistaken for a-smile on his grave countenance. 

Mozwa did not' explain. Nazinred knew that 
the luck referred to was the. fact that before the 
accident occurred they had. surmounted all the 
difficulties of the rapid, and that the place on 
which they stood was convenient for camping on, 
as well as for opening out and drying the furs on 
the following day. And Mozwa knew that Naz- 
inred knew all that. 

While the latter kindled a fire, arranged the 
camp, and prepared supper under a spreading tree, 


160 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


the former mended the canoe. The process was 
simple, and soon completed. From a roll of birch 
bark, always carried in canoes for such emergencies, 
Mozwa cut off a piece a little larger than the hole 
it was designed to patch. With this he covered 
the injured place, and sewed it to the canoe, using 
an awl as a needle and the split roots of a tree as 
thread. Thereafter he plastered the seams over 
with- gum to make them water-tight, and the 
whole job was finished by the time the other men 
had got supper ready. 

Indians are in the habit of eating supper in 
what may be styled a business-like manner — they 
“ mean business,” to use a familiar phrase, when 
they sit down to that meal. Indeed, most savages 
do; it is only civilised dyspeptics who don’t. 
When the seriousness of the business began to 
wear off, the idea of mental effort and lingual 
communication occurred to the friends. Hitherto 
their eyes alone had spoken, and these expressive 
orbs had testified, as plainly as could the tongue, 
to the intense • gratification they derived from 
the possession of good appetites and plenty of 
food. 

“ I think,” said Mozwa, wiping his mouth with 
that familiar handkerchief — the back of his 
hand-^“ that there will be trouble in the- camp 
before long, for when you are away that- beast 
Magadar has too- much - power. He will try 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


161 


to make our young men go with him to fight the 
Eskimos ! ” 

It must not be supposed that the Indian applied 
the word “ beast” to Magadar in that objectionable 
and slangy way in which it is used among our- 
selves. Indians happily have no slang. They are 
not civilised- enough for that. Mozwa merely 
meant to express his. opinion that Magadar’s 
nature was more allied to that of the lower than 
of the higher animals. 

“ Yes, and Alizay will encourage him,” returned 
Nazinred, with a frown. “ The man is well 
named.” 

This remark about the name had reference to 
the word Alizay, which means gunpowder., and 
which had been given to the Indian in his boyhood 
because of his fiery and quarrelsome disposition. 

“ The geese and the ducks are in plenty just 
now,” continued Nazinred; “I hope that he and 
Magadar will be _ more taken up with filling their 
mouths than fighting till I return — and then I 
can hinder them.” 

“ H’ln ! ” responded Mozwa. He might have 
said more, but was busy lighting his pipe at the 
moment. Nazinred made no further remark at 
the time, for he was in the full enjoyment of the 
first voluminous exhalation of the weed. 

After a few minutes the chief resumed — 

“ Our old chief is full of the right spirit. He is 
L 


162 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


losing power with the young men, but I think he 
can still-guide them. I will hope so, and we will 
return as soon as we can.” 

Poor Nazinred ! If he had known that his only 
and beloved daughter, even while he spoke, was 
on her way to the mysterious icy sea in company 
with one of the despised Eskimos — driven away 
by the violence of the fire-eaters of the camp — he 
would not have smoked or spoken so calmly. 
But, fortunately for his own peace of mind, he did 
not know — he did not dream of the possibility of 
such a catastrophe; and even if he had known 
and returned home at full speed, he would have 
been too late to prevent the evil. 

For a long time these Indians lay side by side 
on their outspread blankets, with their feet to the 
fire, gazing through the branches at the stars, and 
puffing away in profound silence, but probably 
deep thought. At least a sudden exclamation by 
Mozwa warrants that conclusion. 

“ You think,” he said, “ that our old chief has 
the. right spirit. How do you know what is the 
right spirit? Alizay and Magadar, and many of 
our braves — especially the young ones — think that 
a fiery spirit, that flares up like powder, and is 
always ready to fight, is the right one. You and 
our old chief think that gentleness and forbear- 
ance and unwillingness to fight till you cannot 
help it is the right spirit. How do you know 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


163 


which is right? You and the war-lovers cannot 
both be right !” 

There was an expression of great perplexity on 
the Indian’s face as he uttered the last sentence. 

“My son/’ replied Nazinred, who, although not 
much older than his companion, assumed the 
parental role in virtue of his chieftainship, “ how 
do you know that you are alive ? ” 

This was such an unexpected answer that 
Mozwa gazed fixedly upwards for a few minutes 
without making any reply. 

“ I know it,” he said at length, “ because I — I — 
know it. I — T feel it.” 

“ How do you know,” continued the chief, with 
perplexing pertinacity, “that the. sun is not the 
moon ? ” 

Again Mozwa became astronomically meditative. 

“ Because I see it and feel it,” he replied. “ The 
sun is brighter and warmer. It cheers me more 
than the -moon, and gives me more- light, and 
warms me. It warms the bushes and flowers too, 
and makes them grow, and it draws the beasts out 
of their holes. Even a rabbit knows the difference 
between the sun and the moon.” 

“My son,” returned Nazinred, “I have not lived 
very long yet, but I have lived long enough to 
see, and feel, and know that the kind spirit is the 
right spirit, because it warms the heart, and opens 
the eyes, and gives light, and it is the only spirit 


164 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


that can make friends of foes. Is it not better to 
live at peace and in goodwill with all men than 
to live as enemies ? ” 

“ Ho ! ” responded Mozwa, by way of assent. 

“Then the peaceful spirit is the right one,” 
rejoined the chief, with a long-drawn sigh that 
indicated a tendency to close the discussion. 

As Mozwa felt himself to be in a somewhat con- 
fused mental condition, he echoed the sigh, laid 
down his pipe, drew his blanket round him, and, 
without the formality of “ Good -night,” resigned 
himself to repose. 

Nazinred, after taking a look at the weather, 
pondering, perchance, on the probabilities of the 
morrow, and throwing a fresh log on the fire, also 
wrapped his blanket round him and lost himself 
in slumber. 


A ROMANCE of the ice-world 


165 


CHAPTER XY. 


WILD DOINGS OF THE FUR-TRADERS AND RED MEN. 

In course of time, after many a hard struggle 
with rushing rapids and not a few narrow escapes 
from dangerous rocks, the Indian voyagers swept 
out at last upon the broad bosom of Great Bear 
Lake. 

This mighty inland sea of- fresh water — about 
two hundred miles in- diameter, and big enough to 
engulf the greater -part of Scotland— was, at the 
time we write of, and still is, far beyond the out- 
most verge of civilisation, in the remotest solitudes 
of tha Great Lone Land. 

Here the fur-traders had established &- small 
trading post close to the shores of the lake. It 
was in charge of a- Scotchman — we had almost 
said of course ; for it would seem as if these hardy 
dwellers in the north of our island have a special 
gift for penetrating into and inhabiting the wildest 
and most unlikely parts of the world. His name 
was MacSweenie, and he had a few Orkneymen 
and half-castes to keep him company while vege- 
tating there. 


166 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


It was a sort of event, a mild excitement, a pink- 
if not a red-letter day, when our_Indians arrived 
at that lonely outpost, and MacSweenie, who was 
in the prime of life and the depths of ennui, gave 
the strangers a hearty and warm reception. 

Nazinred had been there before, and was able 
somewhat to - subdue his feelings of admiration 
and not-quite-exhausted surprise at all the wonder- 
ful things he saw ; but to the others it was com- 
paratively new, and Mozwa had never been at a 
trading-post in his life. Being a sympathetic 
man, he found it difficult to retain at all times 
that solemnity of manner and look which he 
knew was expected of him. The chief, who was 
also sympathetic, experienced deep pleasure in 
watching his companion’s face, and observing the 
efforts he made to appear indifferent, knowing, as 
he did, from former experience, that he must in 
reality be full of surprise and-curiosity. 

And, truly, in the store of the fur-traders there 
was a display of wealth which, to unaccustomed 
Indian eyes, must have seemed almost fabulous. 
For were there not in this enchanted castle bales 
of bright blue cloth, and bright scarlet cloth, and 
various other kinds of cloth sufficient to clothe 
the entire Dogrib nation ? Were there not guns 
enough — cheap flint-lock, blue-barrelled ones — 
to make all the Eskimos in the polar regions look 
blue with envy, if not with fear ? Were there not 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


167 


bright beads and brass rings, and other baubles, and 
coloured silk thread, enough to make the hearts of 
all the Dogrib squaws to dance with joy? Were 
there not axes, and tomahawks, and scalping-knives 
enough to make the fingers of the braves to itch 
for war ? Were there not hooks and lines enough to 
capture all the fish in Great Bear Lake, and “ nests ” 
of copper kettles enough to boil them all at one 
tremendous culinary operation? And was there 
not gunpowder enough to blow the fort and all 
its contents into unrecognisable atoms ? 

Yes, there was enough in that store fully to 
account for the look of awe-stricken wonder which 
overspread the visage of Mozwa, and for the re- 
strained tendency to laughter which taxed the 
solemn Nazinred considerably. 

“You are fery welcome,” said MacS weenie, as 
he ushered the chief and Mozwa into the store the 
day after their arrival. “We hev not seen one o’ 
your people for many a day ; an’ it ’s thinking I 
wass that you would be- forgettin’^us altogether. 
Tell them that, Tonal’.” 

Tonal’ (or Donald) Mowat was MacSweenie’s 
interpreter and factotum. He was a man of middle 
age and middle height, but by no means middle 
capacity. Having left his native home in Orkney 
while yet a youth, he had spent the greater part 
of his life in the “Nor’- West,” and had proved 
himself to be one of those quick learners and 


168 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


generally handy fellows, who, because of their 
aptitude to pick up many trades, are too com- 
monly supposed to be masters of none* Mowat, 
besides being a first-rate- blacksmith, had picked 
up the Indian language, after a fashion, from the 
Crees, and French of a kind from the Canadian 
half-castes, and even a smattering of Gaelic from 
the few Scotch Highlanders in the service. He 
could use the axe as well as forge it, and, in short, 
could turn his hand to almost anything. Among 
other things, he could play splendidly on the 
violin — an instrument which he styled a fiddle, 
and which MacSweenie called a "fuddle.” His 
repertoire was neither extensive nor select. If you 
had asked for something of Beethoven or Mozart 
he would have- opened his eyes, perhaps also his 
mouth. But at a strathspey or the Keel o’ Tulloch 
he was almost equal to Neil Gow himself — so ad- 
mirable were his tune and time. In a lonesome 
land, where amusements are few and the nights 
long, the power to “ fuddle ” counts for much. 

Besides being MacSweenie’s interpreter, Donald 
was also his storekeeper. 

“ Give them both a quid, Tonal’, to begin with,” 
said MacSweenie. “ It iss always politic to keep 
Indians in good humour.” 

Donald cut off two long pieces of Canada twist 
and handed it to them. He cut them from a 
roll, which was large enough, in the estimation of 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 169 

Mozwa, to last a reasonable smoker to the crack of 
doom. They received the gift with an expression 
of approval. It would have been beneath their 
dignity to have allowed elation or gratitude to 
appear in their manner. 

“ Solemn humbugs ! ” thought the trader, — “ ye 
know that you’re as pleased as Punch,” but he 
was careful to conceal his thoughts. “ Now, then, 
let us hev a look at the furs.” 

It took the trader and his assistant some time to 
examine the furs and put a price on them. The 
Indians had no resource but to- accept their dictum 
on the point, for there were no rival markets there. 
Moreover, the value being fixed according to a 
regular and well-understood- tariff, and the trader 
being the servant of a Company with a fixed 
salary, there was no temptation to unfair action 
on his part. When the valuation was completed 
a number of goose-quills were handed to the 
Indians — each quill representing a sum of about 
two shillings-- whereby each man had a fair 
notion of the extent of his fortune. 

“What iss it you will be wanting now?” said 
the trader, addressing himself to Nazinred with 
the air of a man whose powers of production are 
illimitable. 

But the chief did not reply for some time. It 
was not every day that he went shopping, and he 
was not to be hurried. His own personal wants 


170 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


had to be considered with relation to the pile of 
quill-wealth at his elbow, and, what was of far 
greater importance and difficulty to a kind man, 
the wants of his squaw and Adolay had also to 
be thought of. Mozwa, having left a squaw, two 
little daughters, and a very small son, had still 
greater difficulties to contend with. But they 
both faced them like men. 

“ Pasgissegan,” said both men, at length, simul- 
taneously. 

“ I thought so,” observed the trader, with a smile, 
as he selected two trade-guns^-the fire-spouters of 
the Eskimo — and handed them across the counter. 

The Indians received the weapons with almost 
tender care ; examined them carefully ; took long 
and steady aim at the windows several times; 
snapped the flints to make sure that the steels 
were good, and, generally, inspected every detail 
connected with them. Being satisfied, they rested 
them against the wall, the trader withdrew the 
price of the guns from the two little piles, threw 
the quills into an empty box under the counter, 
and looked — if he did not say, “ What next ? ” 

Powder, shot, and ball came next, and then 
the means of hunting and self-defence having 
been secured, beads and scarlet cloth for the 
womens claimed their attention. It was an 
interesting sight to see these tall, dark-skinned 
sons of the forest handling the cloth and fingering 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 171 

the various articles with all the gravity and de- 
liberation o£ experts, with now and then a low- 
toned comment, or a quiet question as to the price. 

“You’ll want that,” suggested Mowat, as he 
threw a small thick blanket — quite a miniature 
blanket — towards Mozwa, “your small boy will 
want it.” 

“ Ho ! ” exclaimed the Indian, with a look of 
surprise in spite of himself, “how do you know ? ” 

“I didn’t know. I only guessed; but your 
question shows me I ’m right. Any more ? ” 

“ Yes, two more, but* bigger.” 

“ Of course bigger, for it ’s not likely they were 
all born at the same time,” returned Mowat, with 
a grin. 

“What iss this man wanting Tonal’ ? I can’t 
make him out at all,” asked MacSweenie. 

It was found that Nazinred had been pointing 
with eager pertinacity at something lying on one 
of the shelves which had caught his eye, but the 
name of which he did not know. 

“ Oh ! I see,” added the trader, “ it iss a cocktail 
feather you want.” 

“ Yes, for my daughter,” exclaimed the Indian 
as he received the feather and regarded it with 
some uncertainty — as well he might, for the 
feather in question was a thing of brilliant scarlet 
made up of many feathers, — rigid and over a foot 
in height. 


172 


"THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ It ’s not a good plaything for a child,” remarked 
Mowat. 

“ My daughter is not a child — she is a woman.” 

“Wow, man,” said MacS weenie, “ tell him that 
feather is not for a woman. It iss for a man.” 

The Indian, however, needed no explanation. 
That which had -captivated him at a distance lost 
its attraction on closer examination. He rejected 
it with quiet, indifference, and turned his eyes to 
something not less attractive, but more useful — a 
a web of brilliant light-blue cloth. He was very 
fond of -Adolay, and had made up his- mind to 
take back to her a gift which she would he 
certain to like. Indeed, to make sure of this, he 
determined to take to her a variety of presents, 
so that among them all she would be sure to find 
something to her taste. 

In this way the Indians spent several days at 
the “ fort ” of the traders on Great Bear Lake, and 
then prepared to return home with a canoe-load 
of goods instead of furs. * 

Before leaving, however, they had a specimen of 
one of the ways in which fur- traders in those 
lonely regions of the far north enjoy themselves. 
The whole establishment consisted of the officer 
in charge — MacSweenie — his interpreter Donald 
Mowat, and seven men — two of whom were French 
Canadians, two half-castes, and three Orkneymen. 
There were also three women, two being-wives of 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 173 

the men from Orkney, and one the wife of one of 
the half-castes. 

The greater part of the day previous to that on 
which they were to set out on the return voyage, 
Nazinred and Mozwa spent in testing the quality 
of their new guns in company with MacSweenie, 
who took his faithful Donald Mowat with him, 
partly to assist in carrying the game, and partly 
for interpreting purposes. And a superb testing- 
ground it was, for the swampy spots and mud flats 
were alive with wild-fowl of all kinds, from the lively 
sandpiper to the great Canada grey goose, while 
the air was ^ vocal with their whistling.. wings and 
trumpet cries, so that, whether they walked among 
the shrubs and sedges, or sat in ambush on the 
rocky points, ample opportunity was afforded to 
test the- weapons as well as the skill of the owners. 

The beginning of the day, however, was not 
quite -satisfactory. They had scarcely proceeded 
more than a few hundred yards from the fort 
when a flock of ducks was observed flying low and 
straight towards them. 

“Down, man, quick!” exclaimed MacSweenie, 
crouching behind a large bush. “ You will get a 
good chance, and the gun will kill if ye point 
straight, for the trade-guns are'Sfery goot, the most 
of— wow ! ” 

The sudden end of his remark was caused by 
Nazinred firing, and thereafter rising with the 


174 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


shattered fragments of the gun in his hand, and 
a little blood trickling from one of his fingers, 
while an expression of stern perplexity overspread 
his visage. 

“Well, now, that iss most extraordinary,” said 
the trader, examining the weapon. “I hev not 
seen such a thing for years. To be sure, they are 
cheap and made of cast-iron, but they seldom 
burst like that, an’ they usually shoot straight, 
whatever ! — Tell him, Tonal’, that he need not 
concern himself, for I will give him another.” 

On this being translated, Nazinred seemed 
content, and began to examine his hurt, which by 
good fortune was a slight one. 

“ It might have been worse,” remarked Mowat 
gravely ; “ I ’ve seen many a man in this country 
with a short allowance of finger-joints from the 
same cause.” 

“ What you observe is fery true, Tonal’,” said 
the trader, with a serious air, “it might have 
been worse. There was a bit of the barrel went 
past my head that fery nearly put me on a short 
allowance of life. But come with me to the store 
an’ we will choose a better one.” 

Half an hour sufficed to select another fowling- 
piece, which stood all the tests to which it was 
subjected, and as evening was about to close in 
the whole party returned well laden with game, 
and thoroughly pleased with the weapons. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 175 

Meanwhile the men of the establishment had 
been variously employed, cutting and hauling 
firewood, attending the nets, etc., while the women 
had been busy making moccasins and mending 
garments. The cook — an Orkney man — had 
made extensive preparations for a feast, but this 
was a secret between him and MacSweenie; the 
latter being fond of occasionally giving his people 
a surprise-treat. 

It was not indeed easy to surprise them at 
that time with unusually gQod food, for the land 
was swarming with spring life, and they daily 
enjoyed the fat of it. But there were some little 
delicacies which were not to be had every day in 
the wilderness, of the far north. Among them 
was a round object about the shape, size, and 
consistency of a large cannon ball, which was 
tied up in a cloth and seemed to require an 
immense amount of boiling. The smell of this 
was delicious, and, when ultimately turned out 
of its cloth it presented a whitey -brown mottled 
appearance which was highly suggestive. 

The cook also had a peculiar talent for making 
cakes, which no Nor’-Wester could imitate, but 
which any Nor’-Wester in the land could eat. 
There were other trifles which it would take too 
long to mention, and large pots of tea which it 
would not take very long to drink. That was all 
the drink they had, happily, for strong young 


176 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


people with, high spirits do not require strong 
spirits to keep their spirits up ! 

After the feast, the tables and chairs were 
cleared away from the central, or reception, hall 
of the fort, and preparations were made for spend- 
ing a harmonious evening ; for, you see, stout 
people, in the prime of life, who have not 
damaged themselves with strong drink, find it 
difficult to exhaust their energies by means of an 
ordinary day’s work. 

“Now, Tonal’,” said MacS weenie, “get out your 
fuddle an’ strike up.” 

“The ladies have not finished their tea yet, 
sir,” replied the interpreter. 

“Nefer mind that. Just let them hear the 
strains of Lord Macdonald’s Reel, an’ you ’ll make 
them chump whether they will or no.” 

Thus encouraged, Mowat began, and sure enough 
there was something so inspiriting in the tuneful 
tones, the vigorously indicated time, and the 
lively air, that the excited Highlander gave a 
whoop that threw Indian war-cries quite into 
the shade, seized one of the “ ladies ” by an arm 
and unceremoniously led her to the middle of 
the floor. The cook, who was used to his master’s 
ways, led out one of the other ladies in a similar 
free-and-easy manner, and soon- two couples 
were thundering on the boards in all the glorious 
abandon of a Scotch reel. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


177 


They danced nothing but Scotch reels, for the 
good reason that none of them could dance any- 
thing else. Indeed, none of them, except Mac- 
Sweenie, could dance even these in correct 
fashion; hut the reel, like the Scotch character, 
is adaptable. It lends itself to circumstances, 
if we may say so, and admits of the absolutely 
ignorant being pushed, trundled, shoved or kicked 
through at least a semblance of it, which to the 
operators is almost as good as the reality. 

N azinred and Mozwa had never seen anything 
of the kind before, or heard the . strains of a 
“fuddle.” It may well be -imagined, therefore, 
what was the condition of their ^ minds. Native 
reticence stood them in good .stead for a consider- 
able time, though, in spite of it, their eyes opened 
to an extent that was omusual ; but as the fun 
became faster and more furious, their grave 
features relaxed, their mouths . expanded, their 
teeth began to show, and they looked at each 
other with the intent, probably, of. saying “We 
never ever* dreamed of such things.” But that 
look wrought a . transformation, for when each 
beheld the other’s grin of unwonted levity he 
burst into a short laugh, then, becoming ashamed 
of themselves, they suddenly resumed their ex- 
pressions of owlish gravity, from which they 
could not again be driven until a late period of 
the evening. 


178 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Frequent slices of the mottled cannon ball, 
however, and unlimited mugs of highly-sugared 
tea, had the effect of thawing them down a little, 
but nothing could induce them to dance. 

Next morning they were up by daybreak and 
ready to start for the farther north. 

“Now mind,” said MacSweenie, through his 
interpreter, “ don’t you be fechtin’ wi’ the 
Eskimos. Dance wi^t them if ye will, but don’t 
'fgjbt Better try an’ trade wi’ them. An’ be 
sure ye bring some more o’ your- people wi’ you 
the next time you come here. We’ll be gled 
to see you. The more the merrier.” 

How Donald Mowat translated these words we 
cannot tell. Perhaps he added to them a few 
sentiments of his own. However that may be, 
it is certain that the Indians bade their enter- 
tainers farewell with feelings of hearty good-will, 
and, leaving the lonely outpost - behind them, 
set oh on the return journey to their wilderness 
home. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


179 


CHAPTER XVI. 


SORROWS AND SINS, AND A BOLD ADVENTURE. 

It was autumn before Nazinred and Mozwa 
drew near to their village. They took things 
leisurely on the return voyage, for, as Indians 
have little else to do besides hunt,, trap, fish, eat, 
and sleep, they have no particular inducement to 
hurry their movements. 

It is true that, being affectionate men, they 
were naturally anxious to rejoin their families, but 
being also steady-going, with considerable powers 
of self-denial, they were good men-of-business, 
from a savage point of view, and gave leisurely 
attention to the duties in hand. 

On arriving at the outskirts of their village, 
they were surprised to see that one or two children 
who were playing among the bushes, and who 
could not have failed to see them, slunk away 
as if to avoid a meeting. Whatever anxiety the 
men might have felt, their bronzed and stern 
countenances betrayed no sign whatever. Land- 
ing near the old chief’s hut they drew up their 


180 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


canoe and Nazinred and Mozwa went to announce 
their arrival. It was contrary to Indian etiquette 
to betray excitement, or to ask hasty questions. 
They saluted the old man, handed him a plug of 
tobacco, and sat down to smoke, and it was not 
till some time had elapsed that Nazinred calmly 
asked if Isquay was well. 

“ Isaquay is well,” replied the old chief, and a 
barely perceptible sigh of relief escaped Nazin- 
red. 

Then Mozwa asked about his wife and received 
a satisfactory answer. Still, it was obvious to both 
men, from the old chief’s manner, that there was 
something wrong. 

“ Adolay ”... said the old man, and stopped. 

“ Dead ? ” asked Nazinred, with a look of alarm 
that he did not attempt to conceal. 

“ No, not dead — but gone away,” he replied, and 
then related in detail the circumstances of the 
girl’s disappearance. It must have been a terrible 
blow to the poor father, all the more that he was 
ignorant at the time of the girl’s motive for 
forsaking her home. But no vestige of feeling 
did he betray, save a slight contraction of his 
brows and a nervous play of his fingers about the 
handle of his scalping-knife. When the recital 
was ended he made no reply, but, rising slowly, 
left the hut and went to his own home. 

We will not follow him thither: there are 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 181 

some home-comings which are better left unde- 
scribed. 

But next day Nazinred relaunched his canoe, 
and, with a small quantity of provisions and a 
large supply of ammunition, set off alone for the 
shores of the Arctic Sea. What he told his wife 
is not known, but he gave no explanation what- 
ever to any of his comrades as to his intentions. 

Arrived at the coast, however, his further advance 
was rendered impossible by a sharp frost which 
created the firsts thim crust that was ultimately 
destined to turn the sea into thick ice. As even 
the thinnest coatjof ice would be certain destruc- 
tion to birch bark,, the canoe, he was well aware, 
was now useless. He therefore returned home, and 
quietly engaged in the ordinary hunting and fish- 
ing occupation of his tribe, but from that date he 
sank into a state of silent-despair, from which 
his most intimate companions failed to rouse him. 
Not that he gave expression to his feelings by 
word or look. It was long-continued silence and 
want of- interest in anything that told of the 
sorrow that crushed him. It is probable that the 
fact of Adolay being capable of forsaking her 
parents in such a way tended to increase the grief 
occasioned by her loss. But he spoke of his 
feelings to no one — not even to his wife. 

Mozwa, who was very fond of his friend, and 
pitied him sincerely, made no attempt to comfort 


182 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


him, for he knew the nature of the man too well 
to think that by any words he could assuage his 
sorrow. 

All the fine things that Nazinred had brought 
home, and with which he had hoped to rejoice 
the hearts of his wife and child, were utterly 
neglected. He let Isquay do what she pleased 
with them. The only thing that seemed to com- 
fort him was the tobacco, for that, he found, when 
smoked to excess, blunted the edge of his feelings. 
He therefore gave himself up to the unlimited use 
of this sedative, and would no doubt have become, 
like many others, a willing^ slave to the -pipe, but 
for the fortunate circumstance that the supply of 
tobacco was limited. As the autumn advanced, 
the diminishing quantity warned him to restrain 
himself. He eked it out by mixing with it a kind 
of leaf much used by Indians for this purpose, 
but which, by itself, was not considered worth 
smoking. Even with this aid, however, he was 
compelled to curtail the indulgence; then the 
weed failed altogether, and he was finally induced 
to engage in philosophical meditations as to the 
folly of creating a needless desire which could not 
be gratified. The unsatisfied craving, coupled 
with the injury to his health, added considerably 
to the grief with which he was already oppressed. 
He had a powerful constitution, however. The 
enforced abstinence soon began to tell in his 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 183 

favour, and lie actually had the courage, not to 
say wisdom, to refuse occasional pipes offered 
him by Mozwa when he chanced to visit his 
friend. 

As that friend had not the loss of an only child 
to mourn, but, on the contrary, was called upon to 
rejoice in the addition of a new baby, the fine 
things that he had brought home were the cause 
of great satisfaction to his family. But alas! 
Mozwa, although almost perfect, for a savage, had 
one fault— one besetting sin and moral disease— 
he gambled ! 

We almost hear the exclamation of surprise, if 
not doubt, with which our reader receives this 
information. Yes; North American Indians are 
gamblers,; many of them are-confirmed gamblers. 
They do not indeed affect, anything so intellectual 
as chess or so skilful as billiards, but they have a 
game to the full as intellectual and scientific as 
that rouge et noir of Monaco with which highly 
cultivated people contrive to rob each other by 
mutual consent, and without being ashamed! 
Their game is not unknown to the juveniles of 
our own land. It goes by the name “ odd-or- 
even.” 

The manner of conducting the game varies a 
little here and there in its details, but its principle 
is the same everywhere : “ I want your possessions, 
and get them 1 will, by hook or crook ! I couldn’t 


184 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


think of robbing you — 0 no ; there might be jail 
or penal servitude on the back of that ; and I won’t 
accept your gifts — good gracious, no ! that would 
involve the loss of self-respect. No, no. Let us 
humbug each other. I will rob you if I can, and 
you will rob me if you can, and we’ll mutually 
agree to throw dust in each other’s eyes and call it 
‘play’ ! Nothing, surely, could be fairer than that !” 

Of course poor Mozwa did not reason thus. He 
was not cultured enough for that. In fact, he did 
not reason at all about the matter, as far as we 
know, but there can be no question that the poor 
fellow was smitten with the disease of covetous- 
ness, and instead of seeking for a cure, like a manly 
savage, he adopted the too civilised plan of en- 
couraging and excusing it. 

Aware of his propensities, Mrs. Mozwa was 
much too knowing to allow the goods and trinkets 
destined for herself and family to remain in his 
power. She at once appropriated them, and 
secreted such of them as she did not- require for 
present use. But there were articles which she 
could not well treat in that way with any shadow 
of excuse: for instance, the gun, powder and 
shot, bows and arrows, tobacco and pipes, hatchets 
and scalping-knives, blankets and masculine gar- 
ments, which were in daily use. These were 
frequently lost and re-won before winter had 
fairly begun, but Mozwa was too fond of the ex- 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 185 

citement of gambling to make desperate ventures 
all at once. He liked to spin it out. 

One night he had what is styled a “ run of bad 
luck.” Being in something of a reckless mood, he 
went to visit a young friend who was as fond of 
gambling as himself, and took most of his worldly 
possessions with him. The friend, with a number 
of companions, was seated beside the wigwam fire, 
and quite ready to begin. 

Taking a button, or some such object, in his 
hand, and putting both hands behind his back, 
the friend began to bob his head and shoulders 
up and down in an idiotic fashion, at the same 
time chanting in a sing-song monotone, “ Ho yo, 
yo ho, hi ya yoho ! ” for a considerable length of 
time, while Mozwa staked his blanket, a fine thick 
green one, purchased at Great Bear Lake. We 
forget the friend’s stake, but it was probably 
supposed to be an. equivalent. 

Suddenly the yo-ho’ing ceased, both hands, 
tightly closed, were brought to the front, and the 
whole party gazed at Mozwa with intense expecta- 
tion. He was not long in making up his mind. 
He pointed to the left hand. It was opened, and 
found to be empty ! The blanket was lost. Back 
went the hands again, and the “ yo-ho’ing ” was 
continued. The new gun was the next stake. It 
also was lost ; and thus the game was carried on 
far into the night, with smaller stakes, until Mozwa 


186 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


had lost almost all that he had brought with him 
—gun, blanket, pipes, tobacco, flint and steel, fire- 
bag, and even his coat, so that he walked home a 
half-naked and nearly ruined man ! 

But ruin in the wilderness of North America 
is not usually so thorough as it often is in civilised 
lands, owing partly to the happy circumstance 
that strong drink does not come into play and 
complete the moral, destruction, as well as the 
physical, which gambling had begun. The char- 
acter therefore, although deteriorated, is not socially 
lost. The nature of property, also, and the means 
of acquiring it, render recovery more easy. 

When Mozwa returned home minus his new 
blanket and the beautiful deerskin coat which his 
wife had made and richly ornamented for him with 
her own brown hands while he was away, he found 
his old coat and his old blanket ready for him. 
The old gun, too, was available still, so that he 
was not altogether disabled from attending to the 
duties of the chase, and in a short time afterwards, 
“ luck ” being in his favour, he had won back some 
of his lost possessions. But he was too often in 
that fluctuating state of alternating excitement and 
depression which is the invariable accompaniment, 
in a greater or less degree, of the gambler’s sin, 
whether carried on in the depths of the Arctic 
wilderness, the well-named “ hells ” of London, or 
the gilded salons of Monaco. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 187 

“You are a fool,” said Nazinred one day to his 
friend — for even among savages there are plain- 
spoken familiar friends gifted with common sense 
enough to recognise folly, and spiritual honesty to 
point it out and warn against it. 

“ Why does my brother say so ? ” asked Mozwa, 
who was not in the least offended by the observa- 
tion. 

“ Because you gain nothing by all your gaining 
except trouble and excitement, and sometimes 
you gain loss. Here you are, now, obliged to take 
to your old gun, whose flint will hardly strike 
fire more than four times out of ten; you are 
obliged to wrap yourself in the old blanket full 
of holes ; and you come to me to borrow powder 
and ball.” 

“That is true,” replied Mozwa, with a look of 
self-condemnation. “But,” he added, with a sort 
of brightly apologetic glance, “sometimes I win, 
and then I am well off, and it is Magadar who is 
the fool.” 

“ Does it make you less of a fool because Maga- 
dar is one also ? Are you comforted to-day, in 
your poverty, by the thought that you were well 
off yesterday ? ” 

Mozwa’s bright glance faded slowly. He was 
no match for his friend in argument, and, pos- 
sessing an honest spirit, the look of self-condem- 
nation began to creep again over his visage, but, 


188 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


being of a sanguine temperament and hopeful 
nature, the bright glance returned suddenly. 

“Wisdom falls from the lips of my brother,” he 
said. “ I was well off yesterday and I am badly 
off to-day, but I may be well off again to-morrow 
— if I have good luck.” 

“ Yes, and if Magadar has bad luck ? ” returned 
his friend. “You cannot both have good luck. 
Whatever one gains the other must lose — and so 
it goes on. Should wise men act thus ? ” 

Mozwa was silent. His friend had never before 
spoken to him in this way. Indeed, no member of 
the tribe had ever before given utterance to such 
curious opinions. He knew not what to reply, 
and Nazinred relapsed into the moody silence 
which had characterised him more or less since 
he became aware of his daughter’s departure. 

The short autumn of those Hyperborean regions 
having passed away, the land was speedily locked 
in a garment of ice and snow, and the long stern 
winter began. 

It was not long before all the lakes and rivers 
set fast. At first only the lakes solidified, then the 
more sluggish streams, while the rapids showed 
out inky black by contrast. Gradually the liquid 
margins of these were encroached on by the irre- 
sistible frost, until they were fairly bridged over, 
and their existence was only recalled to memory 
by hollow rumblings below the ice. At last the 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


189 


intensity of the cold overcame tha salt sea itself ; 
the floes, hummocks, and bergs became united 
into one universal mass, and every sign of liquid 
disappeared from the polar regions. 

It was when this condition of things had arrived 
that the heart-crushed Nazinred proceeded to carry 
out a plan over which he had been brooding ever 
since his return from Great Bear Lake. His in- 
quiries had led him to believe that the Eskimo who 
had carried oft' his child belonged to the tribe which 
had recently been pursued by his compatriots, and 
that they probably dwelt among the islands, some 
of which were seen, and others known to exist, off 
the Arctic coast opposite tha mouth of the Grey- 
goose River. Moreover, a faint hope, that he 
would have found it difficult to define, was 
aroused by the fact that the kidnapper of his 
child had formerly been the rescuer, of his wife. 

As we have seen, his first attempt to go off in 
his canoe in search of Adolay was frustrated by 
young ice forming on the sea, and for a consider- 
able time afterwards the Arctic Sea was impass- 
able to any kind of craft. Now that the sea had 
set fast, however, his difficulty was removed, and 
he resolved to undertake the journey on foot. 

Well he knew that no man of his tribe, not even 
Mozwa, would agree to accompany him on such a 
wild-goose chase. He therefore not only refrained 
from making to any of them the proposal, but 


190 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


avoided any allusion to his intentions. Knowing 
also that Isquay was gifted with such an intense 
desire for sympathy that she could not resist com- 
municating whatever she knew to a few of her 
dearest friends — in the strictest confidence — he 
did not mention the matter to her until all his 
preparations were completed. Then he told her. 

Like a good submissive squaw, she made no 
objection, though the expression of her face 
showed that she felt much anxiety. 

“Who goes with you ?” she asked. 

“ No one.” 

“Is it wise to go alone?” she ventured to sug- 
gest. 

“It may not be wise, but no one would go 
with me, I know, and I am determined to find 
Adolay !” 

“ How will you travel ?” 

“ With a sledge and four dogs. That will enable 
me to carry food enough for a long journey. I 
will take my gun, of course.” 

“ But what will you do for fire ?” objected Isquay ; 
“ there are no woods on the ice.” 

“ I will dd^vithout it.” 

The poor woman was so amazed at this reply 
that she gave up further questioning. 

“ You have plenty strong moccasins ready, have 
you not?” asked Nazinred, “and pemmican, and 
dried meat ?” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


191 


“ Y es, plenty. And your snow-shoes are mended, 
and very strong.” 

“ That is well. I will take them, but I do not 
expect to use them much, for the snow on the 
Great Salt Lake is not soft like the snow in the 
woods.” 

It was afternoon when this conversation was 
held, and very dark, for the sun had by that time 
ceased to rise much above the horizon, even at 
noon. Late in the. night, however, there was bril- 
liant light both from the stars and the aurora. 
Taking advantage of this, Nazinred left his lodge 
and hastened to the outskirts of the village, where 
a little boy awaited him with the sledge and team 
of dogs all ready for a start. 

Without saying a word the Indian put on his 
snow-shoes and took hold of the tail-line of the 
sledge, which was heavily laden, and well packed. 
With a slight crack of the whip he set the team in 
motion. 

“Tell the olcL chief,” he said to the boy at 
parting, “ that I go to seek for my daughter among 
the people of the Frozen Lake. When I find her 
I will return.” 


192 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


CHAPTER XVII. 


nazinred’s journey over the arctic sea. 

While our Indian travelled through the woods 
he and his dogs were on familiar ground. He en- 
camped at night in the way to which he had been 
accustomed all his life. That is to say, he selected 
a spot under a spreading fir-tree, dug away the 
snow until he got to the ground, which he covered 
with a carpet of pine branches. At one end of 
this encampment — or hole in the snow of ten feet 
or so in diameter — he made a huge fire of dead 
logs. At the other end he spread his blanket, un- 
packed his sledge, fed his dogs with some willow- 
grouse provided for the purpose, warmed up his 
pemmican and dried meat, melted some snow for 
drink, and spent the night in comparative comfort. 
And it is wonderful, reader, how cosy such an 
encampment in the >snow is, when food i& plentiful 
and health strong. 

But when our Indian quitted the shore, and 
began his daring journey on the Arctic Sea, he was 
surrounded by new andumfamiliar conditions. N o 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


193 


trees were to be had for firewood, no branches 
for bedding, no overhanging pines for shelter. 
He had gone there, however, prepared for the 
change. 

The sea near the shore had been set fast when 
in a comparatively smooth condition, so that, the 
first day’s march over, it was easy. As he had 
expected, the surface of the snow had been drifted 
quite hard, so that he could dispense with snow- 
shoes altogether, and the four dogs found the 
sledge so light that they felt disposed now and 
then to run away with it; but Nazinred checked 
this propensity by holding on to the tail-line, 
thus acting as a drag. Ere long the shore was left 
out of sight behind, and the first of the islets — a 
small group— -also passed and left behind. 

When night was well advanced the Indian found 
himself on the ice of the open sea with nothing 
but hummocks and bergs to shelter him. Being 
acquainted, by hearsay at least, with some of the 
methods of the Eskimos, he avoided the bergs, 
for there was the danger of masses falling from 
their sides and from overhanging ice-cliffs, and 
selected a small hummock — a heap of masses 
that had been thrown or crushed up earlier in the 
winter, covered with snow, and formed into a solid 
mound. The light air that blew over the frozen 
plain was scarcely worth taking into account, 
nevertheless the Indian chose the lee side of the 
N 


194 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


hummock and then began to try his “prentice 
hand” at the erection of a snow hut. 

Nazinred had indeed some doubts as to the 
value of such a cold habitation without fire, but he 
knew that Eskimos sometimes used such, and 
what they could do he could dare. Besides, love 
is strong as death — and he meant to find Adolay 
or die ! 

His hut, as might have been expected, was not 
such as an. Eskimo architect would have praised, 
but it was passable for a first attempt. He knew 
that the northern masons built their winter 
dwellings in the form of a dome, therefore he 
essayed the same form ; but it fell in more than 
once before the keystone of the arch was fixed. 

“Never mind,” thought Nazinred ; “they have 
done it^ — I can do it.” 

Nothing is impossible to men of. this stamp. 
He persevered, and succeeded after a couple of 
hours in producing a sort of misshapen bee-hive 
about^ six feet in diameter, and. four feet high. 
The slabs of snow of which it was composed were 
compact and solid, though easily cut with his 
scalping-knife, and formed bricks that could resist 
the influence of the fiercest gale. . At one side of 
the hut he cut a hole for a doorway, and reserved 
the piece cut out for a door. It was just big 
enough to let his broad shoulders pass through, 
and when he got inside and lay down at full 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 195 

length to test it, he gave a slight “ humph!” of 
satisfaction. Not that the chamber was cheerful 
— far from it, for it was intensely dark, — but our 
Indian was a practical man. He did not require 
light to enable him to sleep or rest. 

While engaged in constructing the hut, he 
observed that the four dogs were sitting on their 
tails doing nothing except gazing in curiosity, if 
not surprise, at his unwonted proceedings. Being 
a busy man, he naturally disliked idlers, and there- 
fore unlashed some food from his sledge and 
served out their supper by way of giving them 
something to do. They ceased idling at once, but 
after supper sat down on their tails again to 
watch as before, though in a more languid frame 
of mind. 

When the hut was finished he sat down outside, 
the night being clear and comparatively warm, 
or rather, we should say, not bitterly cold. During 
the meal he kept up the interest of the dogs to 
a keenly hopeful point by occasionally tossing a 
morsel to each. When the meal was over, and 
they knew from long experience that nothing 
more was to be hoped for, they curled themselves 
up in the lee of the hut, and, with a glorious dis- 
regard of bedding and all earthly things, went to 
sleep. 

It was found rather difficult to get the sledge 
into the hut, as Nazinred had forgotten to make 


196 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


allowance for its size, but by enlarging the door 
and manoeuvring, the difficulty was overcome — a 
matter of considerable importance, for there was 
no knowing what Arctic -monsters might take a 
fancy to play havoc with its contents while its 
owner slept. 

Then the Indian spread a large deerskin with 
the hair on over the floor of his hut, and was 
about to spread his blankets above that, when he 
remembered that he would want water to drink in 
the morning — for it is well known that eating 
snow during the intense cold of Arctic winters is 
very hurtful. He had provided for this by -taking 
a bladder with him, which he meant to fill with 
snow each night and take it to bed with him, so 
that his animal heat — and he had plenty of that 
— might melt some of it before -morning. He was 
then on the point of closing up the doorway when 
it occurred to him that if the dogs were inside 
they might make the place- warmer, but upon 
reflection he feared that they might also make it 
suffocating — for the dogs were large and the hut 
was small. After pondering the subject for a few 
minutes, he decided to take only one of them 
inside. 

“Attim, come,” he said quietly, as if speaking 
to a human friend. 

Attim, without any remark save a wag of his 
tail, arose promptly, entered the hut, and lay 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 197 

down. You see, he was accustomed to little 
attentions of the sort. 

At last, everything being completed, Nazinred 
closed the door, plastered it well with snow round 
the seams, so as to render the place air-tight, 
wrapped himself in his blankets, took the bladder 
of snow to his bosom, laid his wearied head on one 
of his bundles, and prepared to slumber. 

But ere he reached the land of forgetfulness an 
idea struck him, which, Indian though he was, 
caused him to smile even in the dark. 

“ Attim,” he murmured. 

“ Here you are,” replied Attim’s tail with a flop 
that was quite as expressive as the tongue — and 
softer. 

“You take charge of that,” said the sly man, 
transferring the bladder of snow from his own 
bosom to that of the dog ; “ you have more heat 
than I have.” 

Whether the Indian was right in this belief we 
cannot say, but the humble-minded dog received 
the charge as a special favour, and with an 
emphatic “ I will ” from its ever-sensitive tail 
again lay down to repose. 

Thereafter the two went to sleep, and spent six 
or seven hours of unbroken rest, awaking simul- 
taneously and suddenly to find - that the dogs 
outside were also awake and wishing to get in. 
Indeed, one of them had already scraped a hole in 


198 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


the wall that would soon have admitted him had 
not his master given him a tap on the nose with 
the butt of his gun. 

Of course it was still dark, for the morning was 
not far advanced, but the star-light and the aurora 
were quite sufficient to enable them to see their 
way, as they set out once more on their lonesome 
journey. 

Breakfast was a meal of which Nazinred made 
no account. Supper was his chief stand-by, on 
the strength of which he and his dogs slept, and 
also travelled during the following day. Soon 
after they had awakened, therefore, they were far 
from the hut in which the night had been spent. 

The Indian’s plan was to travel in a. straight 
line in the direction in which the Eskimos had 
been last seen. By so doing he counted upon 
either crossing their tracks, which he would- -follow 
up, or, ^coming to some large island which might 
prove to be their winter quarters, would skirt the 
shores of it in the hope of meeting with some 
of the tribes of which he was in search. The 
expedition, it will be seen, was somewhat of the 
nature of a forlorn hope, for drifting snow quickly 
obliterates tracks, and if the natives, when found, 
should turn out to be hostile, they would proba- 
bly take from him his little possessions, if not also 
his life. But Nazinred’s love for Adolay was too 
strong to admit of his allowing such thoughts to 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


199 


weigh with him. Ere long, he, found himself far 
from his woodland home, lost among the rugged 
solitudes of ice, with a fast diminishing, supply of 
provisions, and*, worst of all, no sign of track or 
other clew to guide him. 

One day, as he was plodding slowly northward, 
guided by the stars, his faith in the success of his 
mission began to flag. Hard continuous toil and 
a weakening frame had no doubt something to do 
with his depression. His dogs, also, were in much 
the same condition with himself, — growing thin, 
and becoming-less lively. Clambering to the top 
of a hummock, he surveyed the prospect before 
him. It was not cheering. The faint daylight of 
noon was spreading over the frozen sea, bringing 
the tops of the larger bergs out into bold relief 
against the steel-blue sky, and covering the jumble 
of lumps and hummocks with a cold grey light. 

Despite his resolute purpose the poor man sat 
down on a lump of ice, buried his face in his 
hands, and meditated. 

“ Can it be,” he thought, “ that the Great 
Manitou knows my grief and does not care? 
Surely that cannot be. I love my child, though 
she has fled from me. I am a child of the 
Manitou. Does He not love me ? I will trust 
Him!” 

A cold object touched his hand at the moment. 
It was the nose of the faithful Attim. 


200 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Nazinred regarded the touch as a good omen. 
He rose up and was about to resume the journey 
in a more hopeful frame of mind when a dark 
cloud on the horizon arrested his eye. After a 
long gaze he came to the conclusion that it was 
land. Two hours later he arrived at Waruskeek, 
and with a beating heart made straight for the 
huts, which could be plainly seen on the shore. 
But terrible disappointment was in store for him. 
On reaching the Eskimo village he found that it 
was deserted. 

Nevertheless the improved state of mind did not 
quite forsake him. It was a comfort to have made 
a discovery of any kind, and was it not possible 
that, during the brief daylight of the morrow, he 
might be able to distinguish the tracks made by 
the party when they left the place and follow 
them up ? 

With this idea in his mind he resolved to 
encamp on the spot, and indulge himself as well 
as his dogs with a good feed and sleep. 

With this purpose in view he collected all the 
bits of wood he could find, and, with a few lumps 
of much-decayed blubber, made a rousing fire in 
one of the huts. The flame cheered his canine 
friends as well as himself, and filled the place with 
a ruddy glow. As the hut was sufficiently large, 
he invited all the dogs to sup with him — an invita- 
tion which, it is needless to say, they gladly 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


201 


accepted — and we may add that the humble- 
minded Attim was not jealous. 

The hut of which Nazinred thus took possession 
was that which belonged to old Mangivik. With 
his usually observant nature, our Indian looked 
keenly about him while cooking his pemmican, 
noting every particular with an intelligent eye. 
Suddenly his gaze became fixed on a particular 
corner. Bising slowly, as if afraid of frightening 
away some living creature, he advanced step by 
step toward the corner with eyeballs starting 
nearly out of his head. Then with a light bound 
he sprang forward, grasped a little piece of cord, 
and pulled out from beneath a heap of rubbish 
what appeared to be an old cast-off moccasin. 
And such indeed it was. It had belonged to 
Adolay ! ‘ Nazinred, hastening to the fire, ex- 
amined it with minute care, and a deep “ hoh ! ” 
of satisfaction escaped from him ; for he knew it 
well as being one of a pair made by Isquay for 
her daughter’s little feet. 

Need we say that joy filled the Indian’s heart 
that night, and a feeling of gratitude to that 
mysterious ever-present yet never visible Being, 
who — he had come to recognise in his philo- 
sophical way — must be the author of all good, 
though his philosophy failed to tell him who was 
the author of evil. Nazinred was not by any 
means the first savage philosopher who has 


202 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


puzzled himself with that question, but it is due 
to him to add — for it proves him more scientific 
than many trained philosophers of the present 
day — that he did not plead his ignorance about 
his Creator as an excuse for ingratitude, much 
less as a reason for denying His existence alto- 
gether. 

But there was a -surprise in store for our Indian 
chief which went far to increase his grateful feel- 
ings, as well as to determine his future course. On 
looking about the deserted village the following 
day for further evidences of his child having been 
there, he came upon a post with a piece of birch 
bark fastened to it. The post was fixed in the ice 
close to the shore, where in summer-time the 
land and sea were wont to meet, and from which 
point tracks in the snow gave clear indication that 
the Eskimos had taken their departure. This 
post with its piece of bark was neither more 
nor less than a letter* such as -unlettered men in 
all ages have used for holding intercourse with 
absent friends. 

Knowing her father’s love for her, and suspecting 
that, sooner or later, he would organise a search- 
party — though it never occurred to her that he 
would be so wild as to undertake the search alone 
— Adolay had erected the post when the tribe set 
out for winter quarters, and had fixed the bark- 
letter to it for his guidance. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


203 


The writing on the letter, we need hardly say, 
was figurative, brief, and easily read. It did not 
give the intelligent father much trouble in the 
decipherment. At the top was the picture of a 
hand fairly, if not elegantly, drawn, with one finger 
pointing. Below it were several figures, the last 
of which was a girl in unmistakable Indian 
costume. The figure in front of her was meant to 
represent Cheenbuk ; in advance of him was an 
Eskimo woman with her tail flowing gracefully 
behind, while before her was a hazy group of men, 
women, and children, which represented the tribe 
on the march. Adolay had obviously the artistic 
gift in embryo, for there was a decided effort to 
indicate form and motion, as well as to suggest 
an idea of perspective, for. the woman and the 
tribal group were drawn much smaller than the 
foreground figures, and were placed on higher 
planes. The sketchiness of the group, too, also 
told of just ideas as to relative degrees of interest 
in the legend, while the undue prominence of the 
leading facial feature was an attempt to give that 
advice which is so forcibly expressed in the well- 
known phrase, “ Follow your nose.” Ten dots 
underneath, with a group of snow-huts at the end 
of them, were not so clear at first, but in the 
end Nazinred made out a sentence, of which the 
following may be given as a free-and-easy trans- 
lation : — 


204 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“My hand points the direction in which we 
have gone. Your loving daughter is following the 
man who ran away with her. The Eskimo women 
and men, and dogs, and all the rest of them, are 
marching before us. Follow me for ten days, and 
you will come to the snow-huts where we are to 
winter.” 

Could anything be plainer ? The happy father 
thought not. He took an extra meaL His team 
gave themselves an extra feed of bits of old 
blubber picked up in the camp, and while day- 
light was still engaged in its brave though hope- 
less struggle with the Arctic night, he tied up 
his sledge, thrust the old moccasin into his 
bosom, gave Attim the order to advance, and set 
off with revived strength and- hope on his now 
hopeful journey. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


205 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

A SURPRISE AND A CATASTROPHE. 

The trail of the Eskimos as they, traversed the 
frozen sea, although not always very distinct on 
the hard snow, was as plain as a highway to one so 
skilled in tracking as the Indian chief Nazinred. 
The weather having been clear and calm ever since 
he left home, the marks had not been obliterated, 
and he pursued his way without halt or hesitation. 

But on the fourth day out there came symptoms 
of a change. The chief had adopted the plan of 
travelling during every hour of the short day, 
or twilight, in order to make more sure of not 
missing the trail, and the stars with frequent 
aurora borealis had made each night so brilliant 
that he advanced almost as easily as during the 
day-time. The fourth day, however, on awaking, 
his ears were greeted with sounds that caused him 
to rise in haste and force out the door of his sleep- 
ing hut, when to his dismay he found that a 
furious gale was blowing, that the sky was black, 
and that he could hardly see the poor dogs, whom 


206 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


he found crouching as close a& possible on the 
sheltered side of the hut. In these circumstances, 
to advance without losing his way was impossible, 
so that he was compelled to make the most of his 
time by sleeping as much as he could. 

To do him justice he possessed a wonderful 
capacity in that way. Having put the sledge out- 
side in order to make room, he called all the dogs 
in, resolving that the poor things should not be 
exposed to the pitiless storm. Then, having fed 
himself and them, he lay down with them and was 
soon in happy oblivion. 

Of course he had no artificial means of measur- 
ing time, and, the sky being overclouded, darkness 
visible pervaded the region. But a healthy stomach 
helped in some degree to furnish a natural 
chronometer, and its condition when he awoke 
suggested that he must have slept till near day- 
light of the following day. Rousing the -dogs, he 
gave them a feed, ate heartily himself, and then 
went out to look at the weather. 

The sight which the grey dawn rendered barely 
visible was one which caused him to return to the 
hut with extreme promptitude for his gun, for, 
about fifty yards off, were two- white polar bears 
of, apparently, colossal size, frolicking "about in a 
curious manner, and evidently amusing themselves 
with something. The something turned out to be 
the chiefs sledge, which the bears had unpacked ; 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 207 

eating whatever they had a fancy for, scatter- 
ing about what they did not want, smashing the 
sledge itself to pieces, and twisting the leathern 
wraps and cordage into .unimaginable knots. 

Nazinred did not discover all this at once, being 
too much excited by the unexpected visit to note 
trifling details. Besides, prompt action was neces- 
sary, for the four dogs, on becoming aware of 
what was transacting outside, made a united and 
clamorous dash at the foe. Two of them, being too 
valorous, ran close up to the bears, who seemed 
to regard them with haughty surprise. Another 
movement and the two dogs rose into the air with a 
yell in unison, and fell back upon the snow, where 
they lay motionless. The other two, learning 
wisdom from experience, kept back and barked 
furiously. 

Nazinred, although taken by surprise, was used 
to sudden alarms and not easily frightened. 
Knowing that the two dogs were very courageous, 
and therefore all the more likely to run into 
danger, he sprang forward towards the nearer of 
the two bears. It rose on its hind-legs to receive 
him, and in this position appeared to- stand at 
least eight feet high. Without a moment’s hesi- 
tation the Indian pointed his gun when the 
muzzle was not more that a foot from the crea- 
ture’s breast, and fired. The heap fell dead on the 
instant, shot through the-heart. 


208 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


The loud report and flash .frightened the other 
bear away. It was closely followed, however, by 
the dogs, and the chief availed himself of the 
opportunity to re-load. While he was thus 
engaged a peculiarly loud yell told only too 
plainly that one of the remaining dogs was 
injured, if not killed. He called to the remaining 
one to come back. Obedient to the call it returned, 
and, to its master’s great relief, proved to be 
his favourite Attim, a good deal xut about the 
shoulders and much crestfallen, but not seriously 
injured. 

“ Down, Attim,” said his master. 

The poor creature obeyed at once, and his 
master hurried forward, but the bear had retired. 

The result of this encounter was that three of 
the dogs were killed, many of his things destroyed, 
and his provisions rendered almost useless, while 
the sledge was irreparably broken to pieces. 
There was daylight enough to render the extent 
of his misfortune visible, and to show him that 
the trail which he had been following so long was 
drifted over and entirely obliterated. 

To a man of weak resolution this might have 
been overwhelming, but Nazinred was very much 
the reverse of weak, and his utter recklessness 
of life in his endeavour to recover his lost child 
would have rendered him a hero for the time being, 
even if he had not been one by mature. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 209 

After collecting the remains of his property, 
and ascertaining that the sledge was hopelessly 
destroyed, he made up his mind to carry the 
provisions on his back and push forward in the 
direction pointed out by Adolay until he found 
her. If he did not succeed, the failure of his food 
would soon end the struggle. 

It was some consolation to the unfortunate man 
that his<favourite dog had been, spared. The 
amount of “company” afforded even by an ordinary 
dog is well known, but the civilised world can but 
feebly understand the value of a more than usually 
affectionate creature in the forlorn circumstances 
in which our Indian was now placed. Like many 
other people, he had got into the habit of talking 
to the dog about himself and his affairs, as if it 
were human. Whether he held the opinion we. 
have heard so often expressed that “ he under- 
stands every word I say,” we cannot tell, but the 
gravity of his expression and the solemnity of his 
tone when conversing with it, encouraged that 
belief, and the very earnest^ attention of the dog 
almost-justified it. 

But the friendly feelings existing between them 
did not relax the chiefs notions of discipline. 
At.f-. im was not permitted to follow his master as 
an idle companion. He was made to carry, or 
rather to drag, his own food, by means of a collar 
with two pieces of stick attached, the ends of 
o 


210 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


which trailed on the ice, thus forming as it were 
a pair of trams without wheels. This is a simple 
contrivance, largely used by the prairie Indians 
with their horses as well as dogs. The two sticks 
or poles, being long, project a good way behind the 
animal, thus leaving space for a load. As the 
poles are suited to their size, each horse or little 
dog is loaded with an appropriate bundle, and it 
is to be presumed does not feel overburdened. 

When all was arranged, Nazinred started off 
with a large pack on his broad shoulders, and 
Attim, with a small bundle, followed close at his 
heels. 

Of course the Indian shouldered his gun, and 
he slung upon it his snow-shoes, for the-diard- 
driven snow -.rendered these" unnecessary at the 
time. He also carried with him a bow and quiver 
of arrows, with the ornamented fire-bag — made for 
him by Adolay — which contained his flint, steel, 
and tinder as well as his beloved pipe and 
tobacco. 

Things went well with him for the first few 
days, and although the trail was now lost, he guided 
himself easily by the stars, of which he had been 
careful to take note and make comparison with 
the hand in the letter before disturbing its 
position. But one night the sky became over- 
cast, and he would have been compelled to halt 
had he not previously laid his course by several 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 211 

huge icebergs which towered up in the far 
distance. 

When he had passed the last of these bergs, 
however, he began to hesitate in his movements, 
and Attim, trotting quietly by his side, looked 
inquiringly up into his face once or twice with 
the obvious question, “ What’s the matter?” in 
his soft brown eyes — or some Dogrib idiom equi- 
valent thereto. 

“I’m afraid to go on,” murmured the Indian 
gravely. 

To this Attim replied with a reassuring wag of 
his tail. 

“Without stars it won’t be easy to keep the 
straight line,” continued the chief, stopping 
altogether and looking up at the clouds. 

Attim also looked up, but evidently could make 
nothing of it, for he turned his eyes again on his 
master and wagged his tail dubiously. 

At the moment a rift in the clouds revealed 
some of the stars, and the Indian, regaining his 
direction again, hurried forward — all the more 
rapidly that a pretty stiff- fair wind was blowing, 
to speak nautically^ right -astern of him. 

By degrees the breeze increased to a gale, and 
then to a regular-hurricane, which whirled among 
the bergs and hummocks, shrieked round the 
ice-pinnacles, and went howling over the plain of 
the solid sea as if all the Hyperborean fiends had 


212 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


been let loose and told to do their -"Worst. Its 
violence was so great that the Indian was forced 
to scud before it, and more than once Attim’s 
little bundle caught the blast and whirled him 
round like a weathercock, while the drifting snow 
at last became so thick that it was impossible to 
see anything more than a few yards ahead. In 
these circumstances to- advance was madness. 

“It won’t- do, pup,” cried Nazinred, turning 
suddenly to his right round a mass of ice, and 
taking shelter in the lee of a towering berg ; “ come, 
we will encamp here.” 

He had scarcely uttered the words when a 
tremendous rending- sound was heard above the 
noise of the- hurricane. The Indian looked up 
quickly, but nothing was to be seen anywhere 
save that wild confusion of whirling snow, which 
in more southerly lands is sometimes called a 
blizzard, and the back-whirl of which nearly 
suffocated man and dog. Suddenly there came 
a- crash as if a mountain were being shattered 
near them. Then Nazinred saw, to his horror, 
that an ice-pinnacle as big as a church steeple 
was bowing- forward, like some mighty^ giant, to 
its fall. To escape he saw was^ impossible. It 
was too-near and too directly above his head for 
that. His only hope lay in crushing close to the 
side of the berg. He did so, on the instant, 
promptly followed by the dog, and happily 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 213 

found that the ice-wall at the spot was slightly 
concave. 

Another moment and the stupendous mass fell 
with am indescribable^ crash, which was prolonged 
into sounds that bore quaint- resemblance to the 
smashing up of gigantic crockery, as the shivered 
atoms shot far away over the frozen plain. But 
the chief heard-nothing of this save the first great 
crash, for the- avalanche, although it passed 
harmlessly over his head, had: buried him in what 
seemed to him a living tomb. 

The chamber in which he and his dog were thus 
enclosed was of course absolutely -dark — a dark- 
ness that might be felt ; and the man would have 
been more than human if he had not experienced 
a- sinking of the heart as he -contemplated his 
awfuhposition. Once again arose in his mind the 
question T Does the Maker of all care nothing about 
such' things ? The feeling deepened in him that 
such could not be true,— that the All-Father must 
certainly care-more for His children than ordinary 
fathers for theirs, and with that thought came also 
the old feeling, “ I will trust Him.” The poor dog, 
too, had the consolation of trust, for it rubbed its 
head against its master with a touch that implied 
implicit belief in his power to deal effectively with 
any difficulty whatever. 

Feeling his way carefully round the walls of his 
prison, the Indian ascertained that it was not much 


214 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


more than about twelve feet long by three or 
four broad. On one side was the comparatively 
smooth wall of the berg, but for the hollow in 
which he would have been crushed ; in front was 
the rugged heap of confused masses which had 
thoroughly closed him in. There was no outlet 
anywhere; he felt assured of that after three 
careful examinations of the chamber, and how 
many thousand tons of ice lay between him and 
liberty of course he could not guess. 

There was only one- course- open to him now, 
and that was to cut his way out with his hatchet. 
Before beginning to act he unstrapped his bundle 
and sat down to eat, having previously relieved 
Attim of his load and given him some food. 
Everything he did had to be done by' feeling, 
for he could not see his hand even when held only 
an inch from his face. 

Then he set to work. It was difficult at first, 
for he had to strike out at- random, sometimes 
hitting a lump of ice unexpectedly, sometimes just 
tipping it, and occasionally missing it altogether, 
when the axe would swing round behind him, to 
the great danger of Attim, who insisted on keep- 
ing close to his master’s heels wherever he went. 
By degrees, however, he learned to guess more 
correctly the position of the walls, especially after 
he had advanced a few feet and cut a tunnel, 
with the shape and dimensions of which he soon 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


215 


became familiar. For hours he laboured with 
unflagging diligence, clearing back the ice debris 
into the cavern from which he had started. But 
no sign of open air rewarded him. 

At last, when almost exhausted, he made pre- 
parations for passing- the night where he— was. 
Before lying down he ate a hearty meal and fed 
the dog, who indicated his satisfaction by an occa- 
sional whine and the usual wag of the tail, which 
could be faintly heard though not seen. 

A pipe of course - followed, and during the 
process of lighting it he and Attim obtained a 
fleeting glimpse of their abode. As his materials 
could not produce a flame — only a dull red 
glow — the glimpse was not cheering, or of much 
value. 

Then Nazinred spread ar deerskin on the ice, 
rolled himself in his blanket, pillowed his head 
on the dog, who seemed to be perfectly satisfied 
with the' arrangement, and went to sleep till — we 
cannot say morning, for pitch darkness still 
prevailed, but till — that point of time when the 
stomachfirclironometer awoke them. 

After another feed the chief again set to work 
with indomitable perseverance, and extended the 
tunnel during many hours; yet when he had 
accomplished what appeared to him a long and 
severe day’s work, it seemed as if he were as 
far off as ever from deliverance. Just as he was 


216 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


giving way to weary disappointment, however, 
a rush of cold air. came against his face, and 
with an irrepressible exclamation of satisfaction 
he found that his last blow with the axe had 
opened a- way to the outer world. A few more 
strokes, delivered with unwonted vigour, set him 
free, to find that the gale was over, that a pro- 
found calm prevailed, and that the faink grey 
light of the Arctic noon was illuminating the 
ghostly scene. 

He also discovered that during his imprison- 
ment a heavy fall of snow had taken place, so 
that he sank a full foot into it — if not more — at 
every step. Congratulating himself on having 
brought his snow-shoes with him, he at once 
put on those useful implements, and, having 
secured the pack on his back, he once more set 
forth on his journey, beating a track as he went 
on which the dog- followed him with ease, 
though without such a track the poor thing 
could not have travelled at all until the surface 
of the snow had hardened. 

But although our Indian’s heart was lighter 
after his deliverance, the toil which he had 
undergone, and the cold which he had experi- 
enced in the berg, had told somewhat severely 
even on his hardy frame, and when he built his 
hut that night it was with a feeling of despon- 
dency, for he became aware of a considerable 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 217 

diminution- of strength. An unusually keen 
frost on the following day increased this -feeling, 
and when he was about to encamp at night, 
Nazinred said to himself, as well as to his dog, 
that he feared they would never- complete their 
journey. 

But “Hope springs- eternal in the human 
breast.” On looking round for a sheltered spot 
on which to build the snow-hut he observed 
three objects- in the distance which bore a strong 
resemblance to Eskimo dwellings. Pushing for- 
ward eagerly, he sooa reached them, and found 
that they were indeed huts of these children of 
the ice, but that they were deserted. The 
disappointment was very, great, yet our chief 
bore up against it manfully. He made use of 
one of the huts as arresting-place for the night. 
Next morning he found that the prolonged 
strain had rendered him much- weaker than he 
had believed to be- possible. Diminishing pro- 
visions, also, had increased the- evil, and a still 
further fall in the temperature induced a feeling 
oP feebleness which the hitherto vigorous man 
had never- before- experienced. 

The idea of giving in, however, had never 
once entered his mind. To persevere in the 
search until success or death should arrest him 
had been his fixed-resolve from the beginning. 

“Come on, pup,” he said, patting the head of 


218 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


his faithful friend, as he fastened on his snow- 
shoes and set forth. 

To his surprise he found that he staggered a 
little at first, but as he warmed to the work his 
vigour increased and his powers of endurance 
seemed almost as strong as ever. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


219 


CHAPTER XIX. 

THE ESKIMOS AGAIN, AND A GREAT DISCOVERY AND RESCUE. 

While Nazinred, under the influence of strong 
affection, was thus fighting with the unfamiliar 
difficulties and dangers of the polar sea, Cheen- 
buk and his Eskimo friends were -enjoying life 
in what may be called their-native element. 

“Will Adolay come- for a drive?” said our 
gallant Eskimo one day when the sun had risen 
near enough to the eastern horizon to almost, 
but not quite,- extinguish the stars. “We go to 
seek for^walruses.” 

The Indian maiden was sitting at the time 
in the- snow - residence which belonged to Man- 
givik. Mrs. Mangivik was sitting opposite to 
her mending a sealskin boot, and Cowlik the 
easy-going was seated beside her, engaged with 
some other portion of native attire. Nootka was 
busy over the cooking-lamp, and old Mangivik 
himself was twirling his thumbs, awaiting the 
result of her labours. Oolalik was there too— he 
was frequently there -^-courting Nootka in the 


220 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


usual way, by- prolonged silent staring. The pro- 
cess might have been trying to some- women, 
but Nootka did not mind. Like many young 
damsels, she was fond of admiration, and could 
stand a good deal of it, no matter how peculiar 
the mode in which it was expressed. 

“ I don’t care to go,” said Adolay, with a sigh. 

Cheenbuk did not repeat the invitation or 
press for a reason. He was a considerate as 
well as sl gallant youth. He knew that the poor 
girl was pining- for her - parents, and that 
she- regretted having- left them — even although 
remaining in her native village might have 
involved her being wed against her will to the 
hated Magadar, or subjected to hi& persecutions 
during her father’s absence. Cheenbuk did his 
best to comfort her with the ~ assurance that he 
would take her back to her home with the very 
first of the open water. But when Adolay began 
to realise what a very long time must elapse 
before the ice would reopen its portals and set 
the waters free, her heart sank and she- began 
to mope. 

“We may as well have some women with us,” 
remarked Oolalik, with a pointed glance at 
Nootka, but -Nootka took no notice of either 
the observation or the glance. Even Eskimo 
girls understand how to tease ! 

“ Will Cowlik go ? ” asked Cheenbuk. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 221 

“Yes.” Cowlik smiled, and was quite ready 
to go. 

“No, she^ won’t,” said Mrs. Mangivik, with a 
positiveness almost European in its tone. 

“ Very well.” Cowlik smiled, and was equally 
ready to remain. 

Mangivik himself expressed no opinion on 
the subject, but twirled his thumbs faster as he 
expressed a hope that the cooking would be 
soon completed. 

It was finally arranged that only young men 
should go, with sledges and teams of dogs to 
fetch the meat home. 

The little town in which this scene was being 
enacted was composed of between twenty and 
thirty whity-brown bee-hives of snow, of the 
usual shape, ranged on the ice- near the shore 
of a large island. The scene presented was a 
lively one, for while some of the inhabitants 
were- creeping into the small tunnels which 
formed as it were - porches before the doors, 
others were^ creeping out. Men and dogs were 
moving about — the former harnessing th& latter 
to sledges in preparation for the approaching 
hunt, while hairy little balls of children were 
scampering about in play, or sitting on the tops 
of the- snow bee-hives, watching the proceedings 
with interest. 

The Eskimo sledge is a contrivance of wood 


222 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


capable of accommodating five or six men, and 
usually drawn by a team of from - six to ten 
dogs, each dog being fastened to- it by means 
of a separate line of toughr walrus ^hide. In a 
short time the long-lashed, short-handled, power- 
ful whips cracked, the teams -yelped, the men 
shouted, and away they all - went with much 
noise over the frozen sea. 

After a short run the parties, separated and 
went in different directions. Cheenbuk and his 
men drove in a southerly direction. Soon they 
came to a place which had been kept open by 
walruses as a breathing-hole. Here they got 
out, hid the sledge and dogs behind a hummock, 
and, getting ready their spears and harpoons, 
prepared for an encounter. After waiting some 
time a walrus thrust its ungainly head up 
through the young ice that covered the hole, 
and began to disport itself in elephantine, or 
rather walrusian, gambols. 

Tiring of this in a few minutes, it- dived, and 
the natives ran to the edge of the hole to 
be ready when it should come up again. The 
animal was a female, and a small one. When it 
reappeared harpoons and lances were at once 
driven into it, and it was killed almost imme- 
diately. This is not always the result of such an 
encounter, for this -elephant of the polar seas is 
naturally a- ferocious brute, and when bulls are 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


223 


attacked they are prone to show fight rather than 
take fright. 

Leaving the young men to skin and cut up the 
meat, Cheenbuk went on, with only Anteek to keep 
him company, in search of another breathing-hole. 

“ You must harpoon the next- one all alone, and 
kill him-withouhhelp,” said Cheenbuk to his com- 
panion soon after they had started. 

“ I ’ll try,” returned the boy, with the air of con- 
fidence befitting a knight who had already won 
his spurs, yet with the modesty of a youth who 
was aware of his fallibility. 

But Anteek was not. destined to distinguish 
himself that day, for, about three miles beyond the 
place where the walrus had been slain, they came 
across a track so_. singular that, on beholding it, 
they were stricken-dumb with surprise. 

Stopping the dogs, they gazed at it for a few 
moments in speechless wonder. 

“ I am not an- old man,” said Cheenbuk at length 
in a solemn tone, “ but I have seen most of the 
wonderful things in this world, yet have I never 
seen &- track lika that ! ” 

He pointed, to the track in question, and turned 
a look of blazing inquiry on Anteek. 

“ And I am not an old boy,” returned the other, 
“ but I too have seen a good many of the wonder- 
ful things of this world, yet have I never even 
dreamed of the like of that ! ” 


224 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


It will doubtless strike the reader here, as an 
evidence that Eskimos are under similar^ delusions 
to the rest of the- human -family, that these two 
referred to that world of theirs as equivalent to 
the world at large ! 

"What can it Jbe ? ” murmured Cheenbuk. 

" The very -biggest hear that ever^ was, come to 
frighten the wisest -people that ever lived out of 
their wits,” suggested Anteek. 

The face of the elder Eskimo underwent a 
sudden change, and an intelligent expression flitted 
over it as he said — 

“I know now — L remember — I guess. You 
have often heard me talk of the-Fire-spouters, 
Anteek ? Well, the snow where they live is very 
deep and soft — not at all like the snow here, except 
when our snow is.. new-fallen — so that they cannot 
travel in the cold time without great things on 
their feet. That” — pointing downward — "must be 
the track of those great things, and there must 
be a Fire-spouter not far off.” 

"Perhaps a number of Fire-spouters — a war- 
party,” suggested Anteek, becoming excited. 

“ I think not, for there is only one track.” 

" But they may have walked in a row — behind 
each other.” 

“ That isdrue. You notice well, Anteek. You 
will be a good hunter soon.” 

He stooped as he spoke, to examine more care- 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


225 


fully the track, which was indeed none other than 
that made by the snow-shoes o£ Nazinred on his 
weary and wellnigh hopeless journey over the 
frozen sea. 

“Look here, Cheenbuk,” cried the boy, whose 
excitement was increasing. “Is there not here 
also the track of a, dog, with a strange mark on 
each side of it, as if it were drawing two lines as 
it went along ? ” 

“ You are right again, boy. There is here the 
track of a dog, but there is only one man. Come, 
we will follow it up.” 

Jumping on the sledge again, the Eskimo 
cracked his whip and set the dogs off at full gallop. 

For some time they advanced, looking eagerly 
forward, as if expecting every minute to come in 
sight of the man and dog who had made the 
tracks, but nothing- appeared for- some hours. 
Then they arrived at the- three huts where the 
Indian had received such a disappointment on 
finding them deserted. A close examination 
showed that the stranger had spent a night in one 
of them, and, from various indications, Cheenbuk 
came to the conclusion that he had been much 
exhausted, if not-starving, while there. 

Getting on the sledge again, he continued to 
follow up the trail with renewed diligence. 

They had not gone far when anobject was seen 
lying on the ice not far ahead of them, 

P 


226 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Anteek was first to catch, sight of it, and point 
it out to his companion, who did not speak, but 
let out his lash and urged the dogs on. As they 
approached, the object was seen to move, then 
there came towards them what sounded like a 
prolonged melancholy howl. 

“The dog is alive,” whispered Anteek. 

“ I hope the man is — but I fear,” returned his 
comrade. 

In a few moments more they were alongside, 
and the dog started up with a snarl as if to 
defend its -master, who was lying motionless on 
the ice; but the snarl was feeble, and the poor 
beast was obviously in a state of exhaustion. 

“He is not dead,” said Cheenbuk, putting his 
hand over the Indian’s heart, while Anteek caught 
poor Attim by the nose and held him gently back. 

It turned out as the Eskimo had said. Nazin- 
red was not dead, but he was very- nearly so, and 
it is probable that another hour of exposure and 
inaction would have ended the-'Career of both 
himself and his dog. 

He had walked on persistently until that peculiar 
feeling of an irresistible desire to lie down and 
sleep overcame him. No one knew better than 
himself the danger of his condition, yet the fatal 
lethargy is such that no resolution is sufficient to 
overcome it. Lying, or rather falling, down, he 
had remained still for a few moments— then the 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 227 

state of quiet, but deadly repose had, supervened 
and he would never- have risen again if succour 
had not been sent. 

As it was, the Eskimos set to work with tremen- 
dous energy to chafe and resuscitate him, but it 
seemed at first that they were toa late. By dint 
of untiring perseverance, however, they became 
successful. A slight effort to exert himself was 
observable in the Indian, and then, getting him on 
his feet, Cheenbuk on one side and Anteek on 
the other, they forced him to stagger about until 
vitality began to revive. 

“Now, boy, we 11 get him into the sledge, and 
away back to the -igloes.” 

Without delay they led-Nazinred to the sledge, 
rolled him in a large white bearskin, and tied him 
on. While thus engaged Anteek observed that 
Cheenbuk gazed for a few moments intently into 
the - Indian’s face, and then became much and 
strangely excited. 

“ Is he going to die ? ” asked the boy anxiously. 

“No, it is not that — but — but, I have seen this 
Fire-spouter before. I know him ! Quick, we 
musts ave his fife ! ” 

If the life of Nazinred had depended on the 
speed of the Eskimo dogs there would have been 
much hope of it, for Cheenbuk made them fly like 
the wind until he regained the three igloes. As 
for Attim, having, with prompt sagacity, perceived 


228 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


that the strangers were friendly, he resigned him- 
self to his fate. Indeed, his master had, in a dazed 
sort of way, adopted the same course, and willingly 
submitted to whatever was -done to him. 

Arrived at the deserted huts, the Indian was 
allowed to lie in his white bearskin until the 
Eskimo had kindled a lamp, cooked some food, 
warmed some water, and prepared a comfortable 
couch. Then he went out to unlash the sleeper. 

“Now, Anteek, I’m going to send you away, 
and will expect you to be- quick and act like a 
man. Drive the sledge back to- where we killed 
the walrus. Let the men pack the meat on it and 
away back to our igloes. It is not far. You will 
soon get there if you make the dogs yelp. When 
you have arrived, and told your story, get a fresh 
team of dogs, and two men, and come back here 
with a little meat and some more bearskins — 
and do it all, boy, as fast as you can.” 

“ I will,” answered Anteek in a tone and with 
a look of decision that were quite satisfactory. 

It was difficult to rouse the -Indian at first so as 
to get him to stagger into the snow hut, and he was 
more than half asleep all the time, insomuch that 
when inside he fell down on the couch prepared 
for him and again sank into profound slumber. 

Then Anteek started up, jumped on the sledge, 
and set off for home at full speed. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


229 


CHAPTER XX. 

STRANGE CONVERSE AND DISCOVERIES. 

Returning to the hut, Cheenbuk continued his 
culinary preparations with great- diligence, gazing 
often and- earnestly, as he did so, at the thin and 
careworn-countenance of the sleeper. 

Although Nazinred was considerably altered by 
fatigue and suffering, the Eskimo- entertained not 
the smallest -doubt that he was the same Indian 
with whom he had once struggled on the banks of 
the Whale, or Greygoose, River. Equally sure was 
he that the Indian, owing to his worn-out condition 
when discovered, had not- recognised himself, and 
the fancy occurred to him that he would at first try 
to avoid recognition. To this end he pulled his hood 
a little more over his eyes, deepened the colour of 
his face by rubbing it with a little lamp-black and 
oil, and resolved to lower his voice a note or two 
when the time for speaking should arrive. That 
time was not long of coming; probably the in- 
creasing warmth of the hut, or the smell of the 
seal-steak in the nostrils of the half-starved man, 


230 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


may have had something to do with it, but the 
meal was hardly ready when the Indian yawned, 
stretched himself, sat up and gazed solemnly 
around. 

“ You are feeling-better ? ” said Cheenbuk in his 
deepened tone, and in broken Dogrib tongue. 

The Indian fixed a steady gaze on him for 
nearly a minute before replying. 

“ Yes,” he said, in a dreamy tone, “ I’m better. 
If the Eskimo had not been sent to me I had now 
been with my ancestors.” 

“No one sent me to you,” returned Cheenbuk; 
“ I found you lying on the snow. 

“ The Great Manitou sent you,” said the Indian 
gravely. 

It was this touch of seriousness which had 
originally drawn those two men together, but the. 
Eskimo remembered that he was acting apart at 
the moment, and that any expression of sympathy 
might betray him. He therefore made no rejoinder, 
but, placing the seal-steak on a flat stone, bade the 
hungry man eat. 

Nazinred required na pressing; he began at 
once, and was ready for more almost before more 
was ready for him. By persevering industry, 
however, Cheenbuk kept his guest supplied, and 
when appetite began to fail he found time to 
attend to his own wants and keep the other 
company. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WOllLD 231 

Silence reigned at first. When the Indian had 
finished eating he accepted a - draught of warm 
water, and then had recourse to his fire- bag and 
pipe. Cheenbuk expected this, and smiled in- 
wardly, though his outward visage would have 
doneL credit to an owl. 

At last he looked up and asked the Indian how 
he came to be travelling thus alone and so, far from 
his native land. 

Nazinred puffed a voluminous cloud from his 
lips and two streaming cloudlets from his nose ere 
he replied. 

“When my son,” he said, “was on the banks 
of the Greygoose River his voice was not so 
deep!” 

Cheenbuk burst into a laugh and threw back 
his hood. 

“You know me, then, you man-of-the-woods,” 
said he, holding out his hand in the- white-trader 
fashion which the other had taught him. 

“When the men-of-the-woods see a Yace once 
they never- forget it,” returned the Indian, grasping 
the proffered hand heartily, but without a sign of 
risibility on his countenance, for in this, as we 
know, he differed considerably from his companion ; 
yet there was a- something about the corners of his 
eyes which seemed to indicate that he was not 
quite devoid of humour. 

“ But how did you ^discover me ? ” resumed 


232 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Cheenbuk. “I not only spoke with a deeper voice, 
but I put black and oil on my face, and pulled my 
hood well forward.” 

“ When the Eskimo wants ta blind the man-of- 
the-woods,” answered Nazinred, sententiously, “he 
must remember that he is a man, not a-child. 
The cry of the grey: geese is always the same, 
though some of them have deeper voices than 
others. A face does not change its- shape because 
it is dirtied with oil and black. Men draw hoods 
over their faces when going out of a lodge, not 
when coming in. When smoking tobacco is- seen 
for the -first time, surprise is always created. 
—Waugh!” 

“ What you say is true, man-of-the-woods,” re- 
turned Cheenbuk, smiling. “ I am not equal to 
you at deceiving.” 

Whether the Indian took this for a -compliment 
or otherwise there was no- expression on his 
mahogany face to tell, as he sat there calmly 
smoking and staring at the lamp. Suddenly he 
removed the pipe from his lips and looked intently 
at the Eskimo, who in turn regarded him with 
evident, expectation. 

“ My son,” said Nazinred, “ I have- one or 
two.- questions to put to you. You and I agree 
about many things. Tell me, what would 
you think of the fawn that would forsake its 
dam ? ” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


233 


Cheenbuk wa^ puzzled, but replied that he 
thought there must be something the matter with 
it — something- wrong. 

“ I will tell you a- story,” continued the Indian, 
“ and it is true. It did not come into my head. I 
did not dream it. There was a~ man-of-the-woods, 
and he had a squaw and one child, a girl. The 
parents were very- fond of this girl. She was 
graceful like the swan. Her eyes were large, 
brown, and beautiful like the eyes of a young deer. 
She was active and playful like the young rabbit. 
When she was at home the wigwam was full of 
light. When she was absent it was dark. The 
girl loved her father and mother, and never dis- 
obeyed them or caused them to suffer for a 
moment. One day, when the father was far away 
from home, a number of bad- Eskimos came and 
fought with the^men-of-the woods, who went out 
and drove their., enemies away. They took one 
prisoner, a strong - fine-looking man. One night 
the prisoner -escaped. It was- discovered that the 
girl helped him and then wenk away with him.” 

He paused and frowned at this point, and the 
startled Cheenbuk at once recognised himself and 
Adolay as the hero and heroine of the story. 

"Did the girl,” he asked, "go away with the 
escaped prisoner of her own will, or did he force 
her to go ?” 

“ She went of her own will,” returned the Indian. 


234 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“One of the women of the tribe- followed her 
and heard her speak. But the father loved his 
child. He could not hate her, although she for- 
sook her home. At first he thought of- taking all 
his young men and going on the war-path to follow 
the Eskimos^ slay the whole tribe, ancUbringdback 
his child. But Manitou had put it in the father’s 
mind to think that it is wrong to kill the innocent 
because of the guilty. He therefore made up his 
mind to set off alone to search for his child.” 

Again Nazinred paused, and Cheenbukr felt very 
uncomfortable, for although he knew that it was 
impossible for the Indian to guess that the-Eskimo 
with whom he had once had a personal conflict was 
the same man as he who had been taken prisoner 
and had escaped with his daughter, still he was 
not sure that the astute Bed man might not have 
put the two things together and so have come to 
suspect the truth. 

“So, then, man-of-the-woods,” said Cheenbuk 
at last, -you are the -father who has- lost his 
daughter ?” 

“ I am,” returned the Indian, “ and I know not 
to what tribe the young man belongs with whom 
she has gone, away, but I am glad that I have met 
with you, because you perhaps may have heard if 
any strange girl has come to, stay with any of the 
tribes around you, and can tell me^how and where 
to find her. We named her. Adolay, because she 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 235 

reminds us of that bright season when the sun is 
hot and high.” 

Cheenbuk was- silent for some time, as well he 
might be, for the sudden-revelation that the Indian 
who had_once been hia antagonist, and for whom 
he had taken such a liking, was the- father of the 
very girl who had. run away with him against 
her inclination, quite took his breath away. It was 
not easy to -determine how or when the true -facts 
should be. broken to the father, and yet it was 
evident that something must be-said, for Cheenbuk 
could not make up his mind to lie or to act the 
part of a hypocrite. 

“ I have heard of the girl-of-the-woods you speak 
of,” he said at last ; “ I have- seen her.” 

For the first time since they met the character- 
istic reserve of the Indian— broke down, and he 
became obviously excited, yet even then he curbed 
his tongue for a few moments, and when he again 
spoke it was with his habitual calmness. 

“ Does my son know the tribe to which she has 
been taken ? And is it- well with the girl ?” 

“ He does. And it is well with Adolay.” 

“ Do they dwell far from here ?” asked Nazinred, 
anxiously in spite of himself. 

“Not far. I can soon -take you to their igloes. 
But tell me, man-of-the- woods, do you think your 
child had no reason for- leaving home in this way 
except fondness for the -young man?” 


236 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ I know not/’ returned the Indian, with a 
doubtful, almost a. hopeful look. “What other 
reason could she have? Her mother and L loved 
her more than ourselves. All the -young men 
loved her. One of them— a -bad one — had sworn 
to his comrades that he would have -her for a wife 
in spite of her father ” — he smiled very-slightly at 
this point, with a look of ineffable contempt — 
“but Magadar did not venture to say that in 
her -father’s ears !” 

“May it not have been fear of -this man, this 
Magadar, which drove her away?” suggested 
Cheenbuk. “You were not there to defend her. 
She may have been afraid of him, although you 
fear him- not.” 

“That is true,” returned the Indian, with a 
brighter look, “ though I -thought that Adolay 
feared nothing-^but she is not her father.” 

This wise and obvious- truism, or the words of 
the Eskimo, seemed to afford some comfort to the 
poor man, for he became more -communicative and 
confidential after that. 

“Do you think,” asked Cheenbuk, “that your 
daughter has quarried this young man ?” 

“ I know not.” 

“Don’t you think it is likely?” 

“ I fear it i&- not unlikely.” 

“ Why should you fear it ? Are not the Eskimos 
as strong and brave as the men-of-the-woods ?” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 237 

For a moment the Indian looked at his com- 
panion with high, disdain, for the boastful question 
had aroused within him the boastful spirit ; but 
the look quickly disappeared, and was replaced by 
the habitual air of calm gravity. 

“ It may be, as yon- say, that your nation is as 
brave andr strong as ours—” 

“ I did not say .that,” remarked the free-and-easy 
Eskimo, interrupting his companion in a way that 
would have been deemed very-bad manners in an 
Indian, “ I asked you the -question.” 

With a look of deeper gravity than usual the 
Indian replied : 

“ To your^question no true answer can be given 
till all the. men of both . nations have tried their 
courage and their ^ strength. But such matters 
should only be discussed by foolish boys, not by 
men. Yet I cannot help confessing that it is a 
very^common thing among our young braves to 
boast. Is it sa among the Eskimos ?” 

The Eskimo laughed .outright at this. 

“ Yes/ksaid he, “ our young men sometimes do 
that-^some of them ; but not all. We have a few 
young men among us who know how to hold their 
tongues and when to speak.” 

“ That is- useful knowledge. Will my son speak 
now, and tell me what he knows about Adolay?” 

“ He knows that she is .well spoken of, and much 
loved by the. tribe with which she lives.” 


238 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“That is natural,” said the Indian, with a 
pleased look. “No one who sees -Adolay can help 
loving her. Does the young man who_ took her 
away treat her kindly ?” 

“ No one can tell that but herself. What if he 
treated her ill ?” 

“I would hope never to- meet with him face 
to face,” replied Nazinred, with a -frown and 
a nervous clenching of the fist that spoke 
volumes. 

“ I have heard,” continued Cheenbuk in a quiet 
way, “ that the girl is very sad. She thinks much 
about her old home, and blames herself for having 
left it.” 

“ Good,” said the Indian emphatically. “ That 
is like the child, to be sorry when she has done 
wrong.” 

“ And I have heard that the young- man who 
took her away is very fond of her — so fond that 
he will do whatever she likes to -please her. His 
name is- Cheenbuk. She asked him to take her 
home again, and he has promised to do so when 
the hot sun and the open water come back.” 

“ Good. The young man must be a good man. 
Will he keep his promise ? ” 

“Yes. I know him, well. He loves truth, and 
he will do what he says.” 

“It is a long time till the open water comes. 
Will the young Eskimo’s mind not change ? ” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


239 


“ Cheenbuk’s mind will not change. He loves 
Adolay better thamhimself.” 

Nazinred pondered this- statement for some 
time in silence, caressing the sleek head of Attim 
as he did so. 

“ Will this young man, this Cheenbuk, be willing, 
do you think, to leave her in the lodges of her 
people and give her up altogether?” he asked, 
with a somewhat doubtful look. 

“If Adolay wishes to be given up, he will,” 
replied the Eskimo confidently. 

“ And you know him well ? ” 

“ Very well. No one knows him better.” 

Again the Indian was silent for some time. 
Then he spoke in a low tone : 

“ My son has made glad the heart of the man- 
of-the-woods. When we met by the river and 
strove together, we were drawn by a cord that 
anger could not snap. It is strange that you 
should now be chosen by Manitou to bring me 
such good news.” 

“ Manitou can do stranger things than this, my 
father.” 

No more was -said at that time, for, as both 
were thoughtful men, a considerable-space of time 
was allowed to elapse between each question and 
answer. Before it could be resumed the crack of 
a whip and loud yelping were heard in the distance, 
and in a few minutes Anteek and two men drove 


240 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


up to the igloe with the sledge and fresh team 
of dogs. 

“ I sent for them,” explained Cheenbuk. “ My 
father is tired, he will lie down on the sledge with 
a bearskin round him, while I take him to the 
igloes of my people. After that I wilh take him 
to Adolay.” 

“ Nazinred will not lie down. He is no longer 
tired, for his heart is glad.” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


241 


CHAPTER XXL 


KICK-BALL AND AN IMPORTANT MEETING. 

We beg the reader now to accompany us to 
the Eskimo village, where the-men and boys are 
having a game at-kick-ball, a favourite game with 
those men-of-the-ice, which goes far to- prove their 
kinship with ourselves. 

But the details of the game ar& dissimilar in 
many ways — only the_spirit is the same ; namely, 
an effort to rouse the -bodily system to as near 
the bursting-point as* possible without an abso- 
lute explosion. 

It was a lovely- northern night. There was a 
clearness in the still frosty air which gave to the 
starry host a vivid -luminosity, and seemed to 
reveal an infinite variety of deep distances instead 
of the usual aspect of- bright spots on a black 
surface. Besides the light they shed, the aurora 
was shooting up into the zenith with a brilliancy 
that almost equalled that of moonlight, and with 
a vigour that made the beholder think there was 
a rustling- sound. Indeed, some of the natives 
stoutly asserted that these lights did rustle — but 
Q 


242 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


among Eskimos, as among ourselves, there are 
highly imaginative people. 

Oolalik was , there of course. No game was 
thought complete without the - co-operation of 
that robust Eskimo. So was. Raventik, for the 
game of kick-ball suited his bold reckless nature 
to perfection, and there were none of the other 
players except him self- capable of-opposing Oolalik 
with any hope of success. Aglootook the magician 
also took part. The dignity of his office did not 
forbid his_ condescending to the- frivolities of re- 
creative amusement. Gartok was' also there, but, 
alas ! only as a spectator, for his wound was not 
sufficiently healed to permit of his engaging in 
any active or violent work. His fellow-sufferer 
Ondikik sat beside him. He, poor man, was in 
a worsa case, for the bullet which was in him kept 
the wound' open and drained away his strength. 
He was wrapped in a white bearskin, being unable 
to withstand the cold. 

The whole male population, except the old men 
and the wounded, took part in the game, for the 
ball frequently bounded to the outskirts of the 
ice-field, where the boys of every shape and size 
had as good a chance of a kick as the men. As 
the women stood about in all directions looking 
on, and sending back the ball when it chanced to 
be kicked out of bounds, it may be said to have 
been an exceedingly sociable game. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


243 


Old Mangivik took great interest, though no 
part, in it, and Mrs. M. was not a whit behind him 
in enthusiastic applause whenever a good kick was 
given. Of course the fair .Nootka was beside them, 
for — was -not Oolalik one of the players ? She 
would have scorned the- insinuation that that was 
the reason. Nevertheless there i& reason to be- 
lieve that that had something to do with her 
presence. 

Our friend Adolay,- however, was not there. 
The absence of Cheenbuk may have had some- 
thing to do with her absence, but, as she was 
seated in Mangivik’s igloe moping over the lamp, 
it is more -charitable to suppose that a longing 
for home— sweet home — was weighing- down her 
spirits. 

Old and young Uleeta were looking on with 
great delight, so was Cowlik the easy-going, and 
Rinka the -sympathetic; and it was noticeable 
that, every -now and then, the latter distracted 
her mind from the play in order to see that the 
bearskin did not slip off the shoulders of Ondikik, 
and to replace it if it did. Not that Rinka had 
any special regard for- Ondikik, but it afforded her 
intense pleasure merely to relieve suffering in any 
-way — so strong was the weakness for which she 
got credit ! 

The game had lasted for a -considerable time, 
and the players were beginning to blow hard, when 


244 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


the ball, kicked by a surprisingly small boy in dis- 
proportionately big sealskin boots r chanced to fall 
between Raventik and Oolalik. 

“ Oh ! ” exclaimed Nootka to herself, with a gasp 
of hope. 

“ Ho ! ” exclaimed Oolalik, with a shout of deter- 
mination. 

Raventik exclaimed nothing, but both young 
men rushed at the ball with furious vigour. The 
active Oolalik reached it first. 

“ Ah ! ” sighed Nootka with satisfaction. 

“Hoh!” cried Oolalik, with a > kick so full of 
energy that it would have sent the ball far over 
a neighbouring-iceberg, if it had not been stopped 
dead by the broad face of Raventik, who went flat 
on his back in- consequence — either from the 
tremendous force of the concussion, or because of 
a slip of the foot, or both. 

This incident was received withr- shouts of 
laughter and great applause, while. Raventik 
sprang to his feet. Instead of taking it in good 
part, however, the reckless - man allowed his 
temper to -get the -better of him, and made a 
rush at Oolalik, who, being naturally peaceful 
in temperament, -dodged his adversary, and, with 
a laugh, ran away from him; but the other was 
not to be baulked in this way. A fight he was 
bent on, so he gave ^hase at the top of his 
speed. The man of peace,- however, was too fleet 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 


245 


for him. He kept just out of his, reach, thereby 
stimulating his „rage and inducing many a 
“ spurt ” which proved abortive. At last, being 
desirous of putting an- end to the chase — or 
himself losing patience, who knows ? — Oolalik 
suddenly dropped on his* hands and knees, and 
Raventik, plunging "headlong over him, fell flat 
on his breast and went scooting over the ice for 
about ten or fifteen yards before he could stop 
himself. What would have happened after that 
no one can tell, for just then tha attention of 
the whole party was diverted by a- shout in 
the distance, accompanied by the . cracking of a 
whip and the usual sounds that announced an 
arrival. 

A few seconds later and Cheenbuk-drove his 
team into the village. 

He had warned Anteek to say nothing about 
the finding of the Indian, and the boy had been 
faithful to his -trust, so that the whole population 
was thrown into a state of wide-eyed amazement, 
not to mention excitement, when the" tall form 
of the -Fire-spouter was- seen to rise from the 
sledge and turn his grave countenance- upon 
them with the calm dignity- characteristic of his 
race. The dogs of the- village showed not only 
surprise, but also their teeth, on observing Attim 
among the new comers, and they made for him, 
but a well-directed and sweeping cut from the 


246 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


whip of the watchful Anteek scattered them -right 
and left, and rebuked their. inhospitality. 

Thereafter Uheenbuk began to -tell how he 
had discovered the Indian on the ice, and in- 
troduced the -^subject with some prolixity, like 
not a few white men when they have a good 
story to tell. Moreover, the wily- man had an 
eye to dramatic-effect, and, observing that Adolay 
was not among the women, he made up his mind 
to what is called - prolong the agony” as far as 
possible. 

Unfortunately for his purpose, there happened 
to be blowing at the time a gentle- nor’-west 
breeze, which, in its direct course towards them, 
had to pass over the-igloe that belonged to 
Mangivik, and the humble-minded Attim, keen 
of scent, recognised something there that caused 
him suddenly to cock his- ears and tail, open 
his eyes, and give vent to a sharp- interrogative 
yelp! 

Next moment he charged through the canine 
throng— scattering them in abject terror — dashed 
into the tunnel of Mangivik’s dwelling, and dis- 
appeared from -view. Another- moment and there 
issued from the igloe— not a scream : Indian girls 
seldom or never scream — but a female ebullition 
of some sort, which was immediately followed by 
the sudden appearance of Adolay, with the dog 
waltzing around her, wriggling his tail as if he 











































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Mwvawm 



“ SHE BOUNDED TOWARDS HIM.”-Page 247. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


247 


U 


wished to shake off that member, and otherwise 
behaving himself like a quadrupedal lunatic. 

Eager inquiry was _ intensified in every line of 
her expressive face, and, withal, a half-scared 
look, as if she expected to see a ghost. If she 
had really _ seen one the - effect could scarcely 
have been more impressive when her eyes 
encountered those of her father. She stood for 
a few moments gazing, and utterly unable to 
move, then, with a wild cry of joy, she bounded < 
^towards, him. In like manner the Indian stood at 
’first as if thunderstruck, for Cheenbuk’s informa- 
tion had not led him to<*expect this. Then his 
wonted . dignity utterly forsook him ; for the first 
time in his-life, perhaps, he expressed his- feelings 
of affection with a^shout, and, meeting the girl 
half way, enfolded her in am embrace that lifted 
her completely off her legs. 

The Eskimos, as may well be- imagined, were 
not only surprised but profoundly . interested in 
the scene, and - Cheenbuk was constrained to 
draw his narrative to an abrupt -conclusion by 
informing them hurriedly that the** Fire-spouter 
was the father ohAdolay; that he had left home 
alone and on foot ta search for her ; that he was 
also the very -man with whom, on the banks of 
the Whale River, he had fought and fraternised, 
and that therefore it -behoved them to receive 
him hospitably as his-particularfriend. 


248 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Cheenbuk spoke the concluding, sentence with 
a look and tone that was meant to convey a 
warning to any one who should dare to feel or 
act otherwise; but there was little need of the 
warning, for, with the - exception of Aglootook 
the medicine-man, the chief leaders of the fire- 
eating portion of the tribe; Gartok and Ondikik, 
were at the time helpless. 

While this irrepressible -display of Dogrib 
affection was enacting, Attim was- performing a 
special war-dance, or ratherJove-dance, of his own 
round the re-united pair. He was an unusually 
wise dog, and seemed to know that he could 
expect no attention just -then ; he therefore con- 
tented himself with a variety of hind-legged 
pirouettes, and a little half-suppressed yelping, 
knowing that his turn would surely come in time. 

Meanwhile an incident-occurred which seemed 
further to enhance the dramatic character of the 
meeting. There burst suddenly and without 
warning upon the amazed and horrified - multi- 
tude a miniature - thunder-clap, which, being 
absolutely new to their experience, shook them to 
their spinal marrow. Several boys of unusually 
inquisitive disposition, taking advantage of the 
pre-occupation of the tribe, ventured to poke 
about the sledge which had just- arrived, and 
discovered the fire-spouter of the Indian. With 
awe-stricken countenances they- proceeded to 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


249 


examine it. Of course, when they came to the 
trigger it went"off. So did the boys — excepting 
the one who had touched the trigger. He, having 
the butt against his chest at the moment, received 
a lesson which he never forgot, and was laid flat 
on his back — as much with fright as violence. 
Fortunately there was nothing in- front of the 
gun at the time save the tip of a dog’s tail. 
Into this one lead-drop entered. It was enough ! 
The owner of the tail sprang into space, howling. 
Every one else, including dogs and bairns, with 
the exception of -Mrs. Mangivik — who, being as it 
were petrified with consternation, remained ab- 
solutely immovable-^-fled for shelter behind the 
igloes, leaving Nazinred, Adolay,- Cheenbuk and 
Anteek in possession of the field. 

By degrees their fears were calmed, and accord- 
ing to their courage the -rest of the population 
returned to the scene of the- explosion, some 
half ashamed of having- run away, others more 
than half ready to run again. 

“Do they sometimes do-like that by them- 
selves ? ” askedrCheenbuk, referring to the gun. 

“Never,” said the Indian. “Some one^must 
haveYouched it.” 

“ The- boys,” remarked Anteek ; “ I know 

them ! ” 

Adolay laughed. “ Yes,” she- said, “ I know 
them too, and they meddle with everything.” 


250 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“Come, - man-of-the-woods ,” said Cheenbuk, 
“ and see my father’s igloe. He is hiding inside 
of it since the, spouter made its noise. This is 
my sister,, Nootka, and that,” he added, pointing 
to Mrs. Mangivik, who was gradually becoming 
untransfixed, “ is my-mother.” 

“Have you told my father, all, Cheenbuk?” 
asked Adolay as they went towards the hut. 

The Indian stopped abruptly and looked with 
a piercing glance at the Eskimo. 

“ Cheenbuk !” he exclaimed, in a low voice. 

“Yes, that is my name,” said the young man, 
with a smile, and yet with a- something in his 
face which implied that he was not ashamed to 
own it. 

For a moment the Indian- frowned as if he 
were displeased, at the same time drawing his 
daughter close to him. The- prejudices of race 
were at work within him then, and that -very 
human weakness which shows itself in esteeming 
all nations inferior to one’s own -strove with his 
better feelings ; but as hedooked on the handsome 
face and brave bearing of the young man-of the 
ice, and remembered his sentiments and sym- 
pathy, he suddenly-stepped up to him and held 
out his hand. 

“The white trader ha£ taught me,” he said, 
“that the difference in -men is only skin-deep. 
The same Manitou made us -all. Cheenbuk, 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


251 


my son, I am grateful to you for your care of 
my^child.” 

“My father,” said the Eskimo, returning his 
grasp, “ your mind is in a good state. So is mine ! 
You must be tired and hungry. Let us go and 
feed.’"' 


252 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


CHAPTEK XXII. 

TELLS OF HUNTING EXTRAORDINARY. 

This advent of a-male Fire-spouter into the little 
community was a source of much -interest and 
delight to old and young — all the more that he 
had-brought the mysterious' spouter with him. 

Not less interesting to Nazinred was the-com- 
munity in the midst of which he^found- himself, 
for, as we have more than once -indicated, our 
Indian was intellectually far in- advance of his 
fellows, and the opportunity he now had of observ- 
ing closely the life of the men-of-the-ice in all its 
details could not be otherwise than full of interest 
to an inquiring and large-minded man. 

On the day, or rather the night, of his arrival 
he was allowed quietly to eat his supper in 
the igloe of Mangivik, and go to sleep in peace, 
but next morning there was a crowding of relatives 
and friends into the hut, which rendered the meal 
of breakfast not quite so^pleasant as it might have 
been, for the Indian, having been, accustomed all 
his life to the comparatively-open wigwam, did not 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 253 

relish the stifling -atmosphere of the densely 
crowded snow-hut. However, he belonged to a 
race of Stoics, and, restraining his feelings, ate his 
meal with moderate appetite and becoming gravity. 

There is reason to believe that he rather diked 
the earnest -attention with which all his- move- 
ments were closely and openly. scrutinised; at all 
events he proceeded with his meal as calmly as if 
he had been alone, and in his own wigwam with 
none but the faithful Isquay and amiable Adolay 
to observe him. 

Staring, as we have already said, is -not con- 
sidered ^rude among the Eskimos; they therefore 
sat* open-mouthed and- eyed, taking mental notes 
in silence, till breakfast was over, when Nazinred, 
according to custom, opened his fire-bag, took out 
his pipe, and began to fill it. 

This created a- sensation which was expressed 
by hard 'breathing and- eloquent looks. They had 
been waiting for this. Of course Cheenbuk had 
often descanted to them on the subject of smoking, 
besides showing them how the thing was done, 
but now they were going to see the amazing thing 
done, in the right way, by the -real Simon Pure— a 
live Eire-spouter ! 

“ My father,” said Cheenbuk at this point, “ the 
igloe is hot, and there are many more who- wish to 
see you do that thing. Will you come. outside ? ” 

With a condescending smile the Indian rose. 


254 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


It was somewhat destructive of his dignity that he 
was obliged to go down on hands and knees, and 
creep out through the short snow tunnel, but as 
there was no other mode of egress he had to 
submit, and did it with the best grace possible, 
making up for the brief humiliation by raising 
himself when outside with ineffable dignity, and 
throwing his deerskin robe over one shoulder cb la 
Roman toga. 

He was greeted with something like a British 
cheer by the entire community of men, women, 
children, and even dogs, who were waiting outside 
for him. 

Sitting down on a snow-clad rock he went 
through the process of filling the pipe, striking a 
light and beginning to smoke, to the unutterable 
delight of the natives. This delight became not 
only utterable but obstreperous when Cheenbuk 
gravely took out the-pipe which Adolay had given 
him and began to keep him company, at the same 
time bestowing a look — a wink not yet being 
known to him— on Anteek, who forthwith went off 
into uncontrollable daughter and was promptly 
hustled out of the crowd. 

The interest aroused by the- pipe, however, was 
as nothing compared with that- bestowed on the 
fire-spouter. For there was a mystery, noise, and 
deadliness about the latter which tended to evoke 
feelings of awe rather than amusement. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 255 

“ I don’t like to, trouble your father too much, 
Adolay,” whispered Cheenbuk ; “ would you, say to 
him that we wish very much to see him use the 
spou ter ? ” 

Nazinred was an amiable man. He at once 
consented, and went back to the hut for his gun, 
which, remembering the tendency of the- boys to 
meddle, he had kept close beside him all night. 

Loading it inside, he re-appeared with it ready. 
Taking up a lump of ice about the size of one’s 
hand, he set it up on a hummock, and retired to 
a distance of about thirty yards. 

“ Tell them all to keep back, out of the way of 
that, Cheenbuk,” said Nazinred. 

The excitement and nervous expectation of the 
Eskimos had been worked up considerably by 
these preparations, so that they not only retired to 
a safe distance, but some of them even took- refuge 
behind the igloes, and all held their-breath while 
their guest took aim. 

He had loaded with shot, and when the explosion 
took place the piece of ice vanished, having been 
blown ter atoms. Of course a yell of admiration 
greeted the result, and all the dogs of the tribe 
fled on the wings — or paws — of terror, while Attim 
sat quietly looking on with somewhat of his 
master’s dignity. 

But the curiosity of the Eskimos was only 
whetted- by this. They immediately began to 


256 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


clamour for explanations, so that the Indian found 
himself at last obliged to undertake a lecture on 
gunnery, as far as he understood it. 

“ My father,” said Cheenbuk, whose respect for 
the Indian was rapidly deepening, “some of my 
people want to know if you can kill bears with the 
spouter.” 

“Yes, it will kill bears. I killed a white one 
not long before you found me.” 

“ And will it kill the walrus too ? ” 

“ Yes ; it will kill the walrus. It kills anything 
that has life.” 

There was an expression of great astonishment 
at this. Some even ventured to doubt it. Then 
there was a noisy consultation for a few minutes, 
after which Cheenbuk was told to ask if their 
guest would go with them then and there to hunt 
for a walrus. 

“Oh yes;” the Indian was quite ready to go, 
whereupon the men scattered to harness the dogs 
and make preparation for an immediate hunt. 

“ Go and get my sledge ready,” said Cheenbuk 
to Anteek. 

The boy was only too glad to obey, for the 
mission implied that he should have a place on 
the sledge- along with the Fire-spouter. 

In a very short time several sledges were ready. 
Nazinred seated himself on one. Cheenbuk and 
the others jumped in, the whips cracked, and 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


257 


away they went amid the shouting of the drivers 
and the yells of children and women left behind. 

It did not take long to find one of those«giants 
of the "fr ozen _seas. Some miles out on the ice 
they came to a place which the walruses s had 
kept-open as ar breathing-hole. At the time of 
their arrival it had not been -disturbed for some 
hours, for the water was covered by a coat of 
young ice, which was quite able to bear the weight 
of the men singly, though scarcely sufficiently 
strong for the sledges. 

Just as they arrived a walrus- took it into its 
very thick head to crash up- through the young 
ice and have a gambol. The party retired behind 
a hummock and prepared for action. 

“ Will the man-of-the- woods go- first and try the 
spouter ? ” asked Cheenbuk. 

“ No,” replied Nazinred ; “ the man-of-the-woods 
prefers to watch how the. men-of-the-ice do their 
work. After that he will use the spouter, which 
we calf pasgissegan. The white traders call it 
gun.” 

Harpoons and lances were at once got ready. 

“ Come, Anteek, with me ; bring a harpoon and 
a coil with you. We will show the man-of-the- 
woods what we,cam-do.” 

He said this with a look of self-confidence, for 
Cheenbuk, being a noted hunter among his fellows, 
was naturally rather .proud of his powers. 

R 


258 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Waiting until the walrus dived, the Eskimo and 
his companion ran towards the hole of open water, 
and then suddenly lay down, for they -knew the 
habits of the- brute, and that he would- soon 
reappear. This, in fact, happened before they 
had lain more than a few minutes. After another 
gambol the ungainly animal dived again. Up got 
the two Eskimos and ran at full speed to the 
very edg£ of the hole. On rising the third time the 
walrus found Cheenbuk standing with the harpoon 
raised. One look of huge astonishment it gave at 
the man, who instantly drove the harpoon deep into 
its side, and then ran from the hole as fast as he 
could, uncoiling the long line of hide- until he was 
some distance off. Then he struck a- piece of bone, 
sharp-pointed, into the ice, and put the loop at the 
end of the line over it. This checked the dive of 
the walrus, which in furious rage came up and 
smashed another hole in the ice, looking fiercely 
around as if in search of its persecutor. Anteek’s 
opportunity had now- come. He ran towards the 
creature, which, so far from being afraid, smashed 
up the ice in vain, attempts to get upon it. 
Another harpoon was deftly driven into it, and 
the boy, running back, fixed his line as the man 
had done. 

These two now began to “play” the walrus, 
easing off and tightening their lines as required. 

Meanwhile the other Eskimos ran forward, 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


259 


and, taking advantage of the creature’s combative 
disposition, fixed several - more., harpoons in it, 
besides giving it many severe thrusts with their 
lances. But the hide of a walrus is nearly an inch 
thick, and it was not' easy to- pierce it with an 
effective thrust. At last, however, they suc- 
ceeded in killing it after a battle of over- three 
hours. 

“ That is- hard work,” observed Nazinred to 
Cheenbuk, as they stood watching the cutting up 
and packing of their prize on the sledges, “and 
takes arlong time.” 

“ Come, now, let my father show us what the — 
the pass — pass — gi— spouter-gun can do,” said 
Cheenbuk, pointing to his sledge, which Anteek 
had got ready. “ There are more - walruses 
yonder.” 

He pointed to another hole, not far off^ where 
several were seen rolling about in the water. The 
Indian stepped on the sledge, the others followed, 
and in a short time the whole party was concealed 
behind a hummock close to the hole. 

Nazinred now loaded his gun with ball. 

“ You must first throw a harpoon for fear it 
should sink,” he said, when ready to start. 

Without a word Cheenbuk grasped his harpoon 
and coil and ran forward, for the walrus had dived 
at that moment. Anteek followed, and Nazinred 
kept close to both. Once they lay down to let 


260 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


the animal come up and dive again. The moment 
it did so they ran at full speed as before to the 
edge of the hole and waited. 

“ Send it deep in,” muttered the Indian. 

“ I will,” replied the Eskimo. 

“So will I,” thought the boy, but he was too 
modest to say so. 

The thought had barely passed when the walrus 
came up with a -puff and snort that might have 
been heard a mile off. Cheenbuk’s weapon was 
successfully launched in a moment. So was that 
of Anteek, though he missed the animal’s side, 
but hit in the neck. Nazinred took quick but sure 
aim at one of its glaring eyes, and before the 
smoke of the shot had cleared away the walrus 
fell-over dead with a bullet in its brain. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


261 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

A BEAR-HUNT AND A SAD END. 

The Indian chief was after this an object of 
almost- veneration to the Eskimo men, of- admira- 
tion to the women, and of -delight to the boys and 
girls, who highly appreciated his- kindly disposition 
as well as his. skill with the spouter. 

He was taken out on all their hunting expedi- 
tions, and fully initiate d-into all the mysteries of 
seal, walrus, deer, and musk-ox killing. Of course 
the wonderful- gun was brought into frequent re- 
quisition, but its owner was obliged to have -regard 
to his, powder and shot, and had to. explain that 
without these the -spouter would, refuse to. spout, 
and all its powers would- vanish. When this 
was thoroughly understood, his hosts ceased to 
persecute him with regard to -displays of his 
skill. 

One day, in the dead of the long winter, Cheen- 
buk proposed to Nazinred to go on a hunt after 
bears. The latter declined, on the ground that he 
had already arranged to^ go with Mangivik to 


262 


The Walrus hunters 


watch at a seal-hole. Cheenbuk therefore re- 
solved to take- Anteek with him instead. Gartok 
was present when the expedition was projected, 
and offered to accompany it. 

“I fear you are not yet strong enough,” said 
Cheenbuk, whose objection, however, was delivered 
in pleasant tones, — for a change for the better had 
been gradually taking place in Gartok since the 
date of his wound, and his old - -opponent not only 
felt nothing of his ancient enmity towards him, but 
experienced a growing sensation of pity, — for the 
once fire-eating Eskimo did not seem to recover 
health after the injury he had received from the 
Fire-spouter’s bullet. 

“ I am not yehstout enough to fight the bears,” 
he said with a half-sad look, “ but I am stout 
enough to look on, and perhaps the sight of it 
might stir up my blood and make me feel 
stronger.” 

Old Mangivik, who was sitting close by, heaved 
a deep -sigh at this point. Doubtless the poor 
man was thinking of his own strength in other 
days — days of vigour which had departed for 
ever — at least in -this life; yet the old man’s 
hopes in regard to theffife to come were pretty 
strong, though notAvell defined. 

“Well, you may come,” said Cheenbuk, as he 
rose and went out with Anteek to harness the 
dogs. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 263 

In less than half an hour they were careering 
over the ice in the direction of a hay in the land 
where fresh bear- tracks had been- seen the day 
before. 

The bay was a deep one, extending four or 
five miles up into the interior of the island. 

We have assumed that the land in question was 
an island because of its being in the neighbour- 
hood of a large, cluster of islands which varied 
very considerably in size ; but there is no certainty 
as to this, for the region. was then, and still is, very 
imperfectly -known. Indeed, it is still a. matter of 
dispute among, geographers, we- believe, whether 
continents or seas lie Jbe tween that part of the 
coast of-America and the North Pole. 

As far as appearance went the- land might 
have been the -edge of a vast continent, for the 
valley up which the Eskimos were, driving ex- 
tended inwards and upwards until it was- lost in 
a region where, eternal glaciers mingled with the 
clouds, or reared their grey ridges against the 
dark winter sky. It was a scene of -cold, wild 
magnificence and' desolation, which might have 
produced, awe in the hearts ofi civilised men, 
though of course it must have seemed common- 
place and tame enough to natives who had never 
seen anything much .softer or less imposing. 

The party had travelled about four miles up 
the valley, and reached a steep part, which was 


264 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


trying to the mettle of the dogs, when a track 
was observed a short distance to their right. 

“Bear,” said Gartok in a low voice, pointing 
towards it. 

Cheenbuk made no reply, but at once ran the 
team under the shelter of a neighbouring cliff and 
pulled up. The dogs were only too glad to obey 
the order to halt, and immediately lay down, 
panting, with their tongues out. 

Fastening the sledge to a rock, and leaving it 
in charge of a little boy who had been brought for 
the purpose, the other three set off to examine 
the track and-reconnoitre ; intending, if they had 
reason to believe the bear was near, to return for 
the dogs and attack it in force. 

The track was found to be quite fresh. It led 
upwards in the direction of a neighbouring ridge, 
and towards this the party hastened. On reaching 
the summit they bent low and advanced after the 
manner of men who expected to see something 
on the other side. Then they dropped on hands 
and knees, and crawled cautiously, craning their 
necks every now and then to see what lay beyond. 

Now, the little boy who had been left in charge 
of the sledge happened to be a^ presumptuous 
little boy. He was not a bad boy, by any means. 
He did not refuse to obey father, or mother, or any- 
body else that claimed a right to command, and 
he was not sly or double-tongued, but he was 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 265 

afflicted with that very evil quality, presumption : 
he thought that he knew how toumanage things 
better than, anybody else, and, if not. actually 
ordered to let things remain as they were, he was 
apt to. go in for^experimental -changes on his own 
account. 

When, therefore, he was left in. charge of the 
dogs, with no particular- direction to do or to 
refrain from doing, anything, he found himself in 
the condition of being dissatisfied with the position 
in which the team was - fastened, and at once 
resolved to change it only .a few -yards farther to 
the right, near to a sheltering cliff. 

With this end in view he untied the cord that 
held the sledge, and made the usual-request, in an 
authoritative voice, that the -team would move on. 
The team began to obey, but, on feeling them- 
selves free, and the sledge- light, they proceeded 
to the left instead of the right, and, despite the 
agonising remonstrances of the little boy,- began 
to trot. Then, appreciating.doubtless the Eskimo 
version of “Home, sweet Home,” they suddenly 
went off down-hill at full gallop. 

The presumptuous one, puckering his face, was 
about to vent his dismay in a lamentable yell, 
when it suddenly, occurred to him that he might 
thereby disturb the -hunters and earn a severe 
flogging. He therefore restrained himself, and 
sat down to indulge in silent sorrow. 


266 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Meanwhile the explorers topped the ridge, and, 
peeping over, saw a large white bear not more 
than a hundred yards off, sitting on its haunches, 
engaged, apparently, in contemplation of the 
scenery. 

At this critical moment they heard a noise 
behind them, and, glancing back,- beheld their 
dogs careering homeward, with the empty sledge 
swinging wildly in the -rear. Cheenbuk looked at 
Gartok, and then both looked at the -bear. Ap- 
parently the ridge prevented the distant sound 
from reaching it, for it did not move. 

“We must go at it^ alone— without dogs,” said 
Gartok, grasping his spear, while a flash of the 
old fire gleamed in his eyes. 

“ You must not try,” said Cheenbuk ; “ the drive 
here has already tired you out. Anteek will do 
it with me. This is not the first time that we 
have hunted together.” 

The boy said nothing, but regarded his friend 
with a look of gratified pride, while he grasped 
his spear more firmly. 

“Good,” returned Gartok, in a resigned tone; 
“ I will stand by to -help if there is need.” 

Nothing more was said, but Cheenbuk looked 
at Anteek and gave the brief order — “ Go ! ” 

The boy knew well what to do. Grasping his 
spear, he ran out alone towards the bear and 
flourished it aloft. Turning with apparent surprise, 


A ROMANCE OP THE ICE- WORLD 267 

the animal showed no sign of fear at the challenge 
of such an insignificant foe. It faced him, how- 
ever, and seemed to . await his onset. The boy 
moved towards the right- side of the bear. At 
the same time Cheenbuk ram forward towards 
its left side, while Gartok went straight towards 
it at a slow walk, by way of further distracting 
its attention. 

As the three hunters approached from different 
directions, their prey seemed a good deal dis- 
concerted, and looked from one to the other as if 
undecided- how to-^ act. When they came close 
up the indecision became morn pronounced, and 
it rose on its hind-legs ready to defend itself. 
Gartok now halted when within five or six 
yards of the animal, which was anxiously turning 
its head from side to side, while the other two 
ran close up. 

The plan was that usually followed by Eskimos 
in similar circumstances. Anteek’sduty was to 
run forward andr prick the bear on its right side, 
so as to draw its undivided attention on himself, 
thereby leaving its left side unguarded for the 
deadly - thrust of Cheenbuk. Of course this is 
never attempted by- men who are not quite sure 
of their courage and powers. But Cheenbuk and 
Anteek knew each other well. The latter was 
not, perhaps, quite- strong enough to give the 
death-dealing thrust, but he had plenty of courage, 


268 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


and knew well how to administer the- deceptive 
poke. 

As for Gartok, besides being incapable of any 
great exertion, he would not on any- account have 
robbed the boy of the_ honour of doing his work 
without help. He merely stood there as a 
spectator. 

With active spring Anteek went close in and 
delivered his thrust. 

The bear uttered a savage^ roar and at once 
turned on- him. Just at the moment the boy’s 
foot slipped and he fell close to the animal's feet. 
In the same instant the two men sprang forward. 
Cheenbuk’s spear entered the bear’s- heart, and 
that of Gartok. struck its -breast. But the thrust 
of the latter was- feeble. In his excitement and 
weakness Gartok fell, and the dying bear fell upon 
him. His action, however^ saved _ Anteek, who 
rolled out of the way just as his preserver fell. 

Cheenbuk and Anteek did not hesitate, but, 
regardless of the^few death-struggles that followed, 
rushed in, and grasping its thick hair dragged the 
monster off- the fallen man. *> — — "V* ' — 

Gartok was insensible, and it was a considerable 
time before he fully recovered -consciousness. 
Then it was found that he could not -rise, and that 
the slightest motion gave him intolerable pain. 

“ He. will die !” exclaimed Anteek, with a look 
of painful-anxiety. 



“DRAGGED THE MONSTER OFF THE FALLEN MAN.”— Page 26S. 



A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 269 

“Yes, he will die if we do not quickly get him 
home,” said Cheenbuk. “ He cannot- walk, and 
he would freeze long before we could make an 
igloe. I must depend ,on you now, Anteek. Go 
back as fast as you can run, and send men with a 
sledge and skins and something to eat. The boy 
will remain with me. Away ! ” 

Without a word Anteek leaped up, and, drop- 
ping his spear, ran as if his own life depended on 
his speed. The little boy, who had acted so fool- 
ishly, came up with anxious look on being hailed, 
but soon forgot himself in his anxiety to be of 
use to the injured man. 

There was a mound of snow within three yards 
of the spot where the combat had taken place. 
To the lee side of this Cheenbuk carried Gartok. 
Being very strong, he was able to lift him tenderly, 
as if he had been a child, but, despite all his care, 
the poor man suffered terribly when moved. 

It was well that this mound happened to be so 
close, for a dark cloud which had been overspread- 
ing the sky for some time began to send down 
snow-flakes, and frequent gusts of wind gave- in- 
dications of an approaching~storm. Having placed 
Gartok in such a position that he was quite 
sheltered from the wind, Cheenbuk took off his 
upper sealskin coat, laid it on the snow, and lifted 
the injured man on to it. He then wrapped it 
round him and folded the hood under his head for 


270 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


a pillow, bidding the boy bank up the snow beside 
him in such a way as to increase the shelter. 
While thus engaged he saw with some anxiety 
that Gartok had become deadly pale, and his com- 
pressed lips gave the impression that he was 
suffering much. 

“ Come here,” said Cheenbuk to the boy quickly ; 
“ rub his hands and make them warm.” 

The boy obeyed with alacrity, while the other, 
hastening his movements, began to skin the bear. 
Being an expert with the knife in such an opera- 
tion, he was not long of removing the thick- 
skinned hairy covering from the carcass, and in 
this, while it was still warm, he wrapped his 
comrade — not a moment too soon, for, despite 
the boy’s zealous efforts, the intense cold had 
taken such hold of the poor man that he was 
almost unconscious. The warmth of the bearskin, 
however/ restored him a little, and Cheenbuk, 
sitting down beside him, took his head upon his 
lap and tried to shelter him from the storm, which 
had burst forth and was raging^- furiously by that 
time — fine snow filling the atmosphere, while the 
wind drove it in huge volumes up the valley. 

Cheenbuk noted this, and congratulated himself 
on the fact the wind would favour the progress of 
the rescue sledge. 

Sometimes the whirling snow became so suffo- 
cating that the little boy was compelled to cease 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 27 1 

his labours on the sheltering wall and crouch close 
to it, while Cheenbuk buried his nose and mouth 
in the white fur of the bear until the violence of 
the blasts abated. By keeping the skin well over 
the face of the wounded man, he succeeded in 
guarding him from them effectually. But his 
mind misgave him when he tried to look through 
the whirling confusion around, and thought of the 
long tramp that Anteek would have ere he could 
commence his return journey with the sledge. 

It turned out, however, that this was one of those 
short-lived squalls, not uncommon in the Arctic 
regions, which burst forthwith unwonted fury, sweep 
madly over the plains of the frozen seas, rush up 
into the valleys of the land, and then suddenly 
stop, as though they felt that all this energy was 
being spent in vain. In a short time, which how- 
ever seemed interminable to the watchers on the 
hillside, the wind began to abate and the wild gusts 
were less frequent. Then it calmed down ; finally 
it ceased altogether ; and the storm-cloud, passing 
away to the south-east, left the dark sky studded 
with the myriad constellations of the starry host. 

Uncovering Gartok’s face to see how it fared 
with him, and hoping that he slept, Cheenbuk 
found that he was wide awake, but in a condition 
that made him more anxious than ever. He 
looked up at the face of his protector with a faint 
but grateful smile. 


272 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ I have always been your 'enemy,” he said, in a 
low voice, “ but you have been my friend.” 

“ That does not matter now,” replied Cheenbuk. 
“ I have never been your enemy. We will be 
friends from this time on.” 

Gartok closed his eyes for a few seconds, but did 
not speak. Then he looked up again earnestly. 

“ No,” he said, with more of decision in his tone ; 
“ we shall neither be friends nor enemies. I am 
going to the country where all is- dark ; from 
which no sound has ever -come-back ; where there 
is nothing.” 

“Our people do not- talk in this way. They 
think that we shall all meet again in the- spirit- 
land, to hunt the seal, the walrus, and the bear,” 
returned Cheenbuk. 

“ Our people talk foolishness. They think, but 
they do not '^Jcnow,” rejoined this- Hyperborean 
agnostic, as positively and as ignorantly as if he 
had been a scientific Briton. 

“ How do you know that there is - nothing * in 
the place where you are going ? ” asked Cheenbuk, 
simply. 

Gartok was silent. Probably his logical faculty 
told him that his own thinking and coming to 
a conclusion without knowing was as foolish in 
himself as in his comrades. 

The subject of conversation happened to be very 
congenial to Cheenbuk’s cast of mind. He re- 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


273 


mained thinking and gazing upwards for a minute 
or two, then he said meditatively, as if he were 
trying to work out some mental problem — 

“Did you ever make a. sledge, or appear, and 
then destroy it utterly while it was yet good and 
new ? ” 

“ Never. I have been bad, it may be, but I am 
not a fool.” 

“ Is the great Maker of all a fool ? He has made 
yov^ and if He lets you die now, utterly, He 
destroys .you in your, best days. Is it not more 
likely that He is ..calling you to some, other land 
where there ia work for. you to do ? ” 

“ I don’t, understand. I do not know,” replied 
Gartok, somewhat doggedly. 

“ But you do understand, and you do. know, that 
He would be foolish, to kill you now ^unless He had 
some „ work and some .pleasure for you in the 
unknown land from which no -sound ever comes 
back. When a father gives his son a work to do, 
he does notjdestroy his son when the work is done. 
He gives him another piece of- work ; perhaps 
sends him on a Hong journey to another place. 
When the Maker of all sees that we have finished 
our work here, I ask -again, is it not likely that He 
will send us to work elsewhere, or is it more likely 
that He will utterly- destroy us — and so prove 
Himself to be more foolish than we are ? ” 

I do not know,” repeated Gartok, “ but I do 
s 


274 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


know that if the Maker of all is good, as I have 
heard say, then I have not done His work here — 
for you know, everybody knows, I have been bad ! ” 

Cheenbuk was much perplexed, for he knew 
not “ how to minister to a mind diseased.” 

“ I have often wondered,” he said at last, “ why 
it is that some things are wrong and some right. 
The Maker of all, being good and all-powerful, 
could have made things as He pleased — all right, 
nothing wrong. Perhaps men, like children, will 
understand things better when they are older — 
when they have reached the land from which no 
sound comes back. But I am not much troubled. 
The Maker of all must be all-good and all- wise. 
If He were not, He could not be the Maker of all. 
I can trust Him. He will throw light into our 
minds when the time comes. He has already 
thrown some light, for do we not know right from 
wrong ? ” 

“ True, but although I have known right I have 
always done wrong,” returned Gartok moodily. 
“ I am sorry now. If you had not been kind to 
me, your enemy, Cheenbuk, I should never have 
been sorry. Ever since I was hurt by the Fire- 
spouters you have been kind to me, and now you 
would save my life if you could. But it is too late. 
You have known right, and done it ” 

“You mistake,” rejoined Cheenbuk gravely. 
“ Like you, I have known right but I have not 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 275 

always done it; only sometimes. It is not long 
since I began to think, and it is since I have been 
thinking that my spirit seems to have, changed, so 
that I now hate wrong, and desire, right. I think 
that the Maker of all. must have caused the change, 
as He makes the ice-mountains, melt, for it is not 
possible that I could change myself. I had no wish 
to change till I felt the change.” 

“ I wish,” said Gartok earnestly, “ that — if He 
exists at all — He would change me.” 

At that moment Cheenbuk, who was gazing up 
into the brilliant sky, seemed to be moved by a 
sudden, inspiration, for he gave utterance to the 
first audible. prayer that had ever passed his lips. 

“Maker of all,” he said, “give to Gartok the 
spirit that loves.right and hates wrong.” 

The dying Eskimo raised his eyes to Cheenbuk’s 
face in astonishment ; then he turned them to the 
starry host, as if he almost expected an immediate 
answer. 

“Do you think He, hears us?” he asked in a 
faint voice, for the strength of his feelings and the 
effort at conversation had exhausted him greatly. 

“ I will\trust Him,” answered Cheenbuk. 

“ I will trust Him,” repeated Gartok. 

For some time they sat in profound silence, and 
Gartok closed his eyes as if he were falling asleep. 
The silence was broken by a distant - sound. It 
was the approach of-Anteek with the sledge. He 


276 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


had found the runaway dogs anchored fast be- 
tween two masses of ice where the sledge had 
got jammed. Turning the team round he plied 
his whip with vigour, insomuch that they would 
have arrived much sooner if the storm had not 
caused delay. 

Having arranged the sledge and its wraps so as 
to form a comfortable couch for the wounded man, 
they lifted him on to it, but when they removed 
the bearskin from his face it was found that he 
was beyond earthly care : he had passed over to 
the land from which no sound has ever come 
back. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


277 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE TRADERS AT WORK. 

Wherever half a dozen average men are 
banded together and condemned to make the 
best of each other’s society for a* prolonged period, 
there is apt to be a stagnation of ideas as well as 
of aspirations, which tends more or less to develop 
the physical and to stunt the spiritual part of 
our nature. 

So thought MacS weenie as he sat one fine 
spring morning on a rude chair of his own 
making in front of the- outpost on Great Bear 
Lake which he had helped to -build. 

The Scottish Highlander possessed a compara- 
tively intellectual type of mind. We cannot tell 
precisely the reach of his soul, but it was certainly 
“ above buttons.” The chopping of the firewood, 
the providing of food, the state of the weather, 
the prospects of the advancing spring, and the 
retrospect of the long dreary winter that was just 
vanishing from the scene, were not sufficient to 
appease his intellectual appetite. They sufficed, 


278 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


indeed, for his square, solid, easy-going, matter-of- 
fact interpreter, Donald Mowat ; and for his chief 
fisherman, guide, and bowman, Bartong, as well as 
for his other men, but they failed to satisfy him- 
self, and he longed with a great longing for some 
congenial soul with whom he might hold sweet 
converse on something a little higher than 
buttons.” 

Besides being thus unfortunate in the matter of 
companionship, our Highlander was not well of! 
as to literature. He had, indeed, his Bible, and, 
being a man of serious mind, he found it a great 
resource in what was really neither more nor less 
than- banishment from the .world ; but as for light 
literature, his entire library consisted of a volume 
of the voyages of Sir John Franklin, a few very old 
numbers of Chambers's Edinburgh Journal , and 
one part of that pioneer of cheap literature, The 
Penny Magazine . But poor MacSweenie was not 
satisfied to merely imbibe knowledge ; he wished 
also to discuss it; to ^philosophise and to ring 
the changes on it. 

He occasionally tried his hand on Mowat, who 
was undoubtedly the most advanced of his staff 
intellectually, but the results were not encouraging. 
Donald was good-natured, amiable, ready to listen 
and to accord unquestioning belief, but, not having 
at that time risen above “buttons,” he was^ scarcely 
more able to discuss than an average lamp-post. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 279 

Occupying the position of a sort of foreman, or 
confidential clerk, the interpreter had frequent 
occasion to consult his superior on the details of 
the establishment and trade. 

“ I ’m thinking, sir,” said he, approaching his 
master on the spring morning in question, “ that 
we may as well give the boat an overhaul, for if 
this weather lasts the open water will soon be 
upon us.” 

“You are right, Tonal’,” answered the trader, 
knocking the ashes out of his pipe, and proceeding 
to refill it. “That iss just what wass in my own 
mind, for we must be thinkin’ about makin’ pre- 
parations for our trip to the Ukon Ruver. We will 
hev to start whenever my^uccessor arrives here. 
Man, it will be a goot job when we are off, for I 
am seek- tired of this place. Wan hes nothin’ in 
the world to think about but his stamik, an’ that 
iss not intellectooal, whatever.” 

“Are we to use the inch or the inch-an’-a-half 
nails ? ” asked Mowat, after a moment’s pause. 

“ Whichever you like, Tonal’. There iss plenty 
of both in the store, an’ ye are as goot a judge o’ 
these metters as I am myself. Just help yoursel’, 
man ; only see that the work is done well, for there 
iss a rough trap before us when we do git away. 
An’ the load will be heavy moreover, for there will 
be a deal of stuff needed if we are to build an 
outpost fit to spend a winter in. Man, it iss 


280 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


pleasant to think that we will break up new 
ground — open up a new country among savitches 
that scarce knows what like a white man iss. We 
will feel quite like what we felt as boys when we 
was readin^Robinson Crusoe.” 

“We will need two pit-saws,” remarked the 
practical Orkneyman in a meditative tone. 

“No doubt, no doubt,” returned MacS weenie, 

“ and a grindstone too. Do you remember what 
that man Nazinred said when he came here on 
his last trup, — that the Indians about his country 
would be mry pleased to see,, traders settle among 
them ? He little thought — an’ no more did I — 
that we would be so, soon sent to carry out their 
wishes ; but our -Governor is an active-minded 
man, an’ ye never know what he ’ll be at next. 
He ’s a man of enterprise and. action, that won’t 
let the gress, grow under his feet — no, nor under 
the feet oh anybody that he, hes to do wi’. I am 
well pleased, whatever, that he hes ordered me on 
this service. An’ no doubt ye are also well pleased 
to go, Tonal’. It will keep your mind from gettig^ 
rusty.” 

“ I am not ill-pleased,” returned the interpreter 
gravely. — “ I ’m thinkin’ there won’t be enough o’ 
pitch to go over all the seams o’ the boat. I 
was — ” 

“ Hoot, man ! never mind the putch, Tonal’. 
What there iss will do fery well, an’ the boat that 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


281 


comes with supplies for the new post will be sure 
to hev plenty. By the way, I wonder if that fine 
man Nazinred will hev come back when we get to 
th<^JJkon Ri ver * wass a strange notion of his 
the last comers told us about, to go-off to seek his 
daughter all by himself. I hev my doubts if he ’ll 
ever come. back. Poor man ! it wass- naitural too 
that he should make a desperate attempt to get 
back his- only -bairn, but it wass not naitural that 
a wise man like him should go off all his lone. 
I ’m afraid he wass -a little off his head. Did 
they tell you what supplies he wass supposed to 
have taken ? ” 

“ Yes. The wife said he had a strong sled with 
him, an’ the best team o’ dogs in the camp. — Do 
you think the boat will need a new false keel ? I 
was lookin’ -at it, an’ it seemed to me rather far 
gone for a long trap.” 

“ I will go an’ hev a look at it, Tonal’. But I 
hev been wonderin’ thak Mozwa, who seemed so 
fond o’ his frund, should hev let him start away 
all by his lone on such a trap.” 

“ He couldn’t help-lettin’ him,” said Mowat, “ for 
he didn’t know he was goin’ till he was gone.” 

“You did not tell -me that,” said the trader 
sharply. 

“Well, perhaps I did not,” returned the inter- 
preter, with an amiable smile. “ It is not easy to 
remember all that an Indian says, an’ a good deal 


282 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


of it is not worth rememberin’. — Would you like 
me to set-to an’ clean up the store to-day, or let 
the men go on cuttin’ firewood ? ” 

“ Let them do whatever you think best, Tonal’,” 
replied MacSweenie, with a sigh, as he rose and 
re-entered his house, where he busied himself by 
planning and making elaborate designs for the 
new “fort,” or outpost, whicdi he had been in- 
structed to establish on theUkon River. After- 
wards he solaced himself with another pipe and 
another dip into the well-worn pages of the Penny 
Magazine. 

Not long after the conversation just narrated, 
the boat arrived with the gentleman appointed to 
relieve MacSweenie of his charge on Great Bear 
Lake, and with the supplies for the contemplated 
new post. 

Action is not usually allowed to halt in those 
wild regions. A few days sufficed to make over 
the charge, pack up the necessary goods, and 
arrange the lading of the expedition boat; and, 
soon after, MacSweenie with Donald Mowat as 
steersman, Bartong as guide and bowman, and 

eight men — some Orkneymen, some half-breeds 

were rowing swiftly -towards the-Arctic shore. 

Passing over the voyage in silence, we raise the 
curtain again on a warm day in summer, when 
animal life in the wild nor’-west is very lively, 
especially that portion of the life which resides in 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


283 


mosquitoes, sand-flies, and such-like tormentors of 
man and beast. 

“We should arrive at the Ukon to-morrow, if 
my calculations are right — or nixt day, whatever,” 
said MacSweenie to his interpreter and steersman, 
as he sat smoking his pipe beside him. 

“Bartong is of the same opeenion,” returned 
Mowat, “so between you we should come right. 
But Bartong is not quite sure about it himself, I 
think. At least he won’t say much.” 

“ In that respect the guide shows himself to be 
a -wise man,” returned MacSweenie -sententiously. 
“ It iss only^ geese that blab out all they think to 
everybody that asks them questions.” 

“Ay, that is true,” rejoined Mowat, with a 
cynical smile, “ an’ some geese manage, by sayin’ 
nothin’ at all to anybody, and lookin’ like owls, to 
pass themselves off as wise men — for a time.” 

Bartong, who was being thus freely discussed in 
the stern of the boat, sat in his place at the bow- 
oar, pulling a steady stroke and casting serious 
looks right and left at the banks of the river as 
they went along. He was a dark fine-looking 
stalwart man, of what may be called mixed 
nationality, for the blood of Scotchmen, French- 
Canadians, and Indians flowed in his veins — that 
of Indians -predominating, if one were to judge 
from appearance. He was what is called in the 
parlance of the nor’-west a “ good ” man — that is 


284 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


to say he was mentally and physically well adapted 
for the work he had to do, and the scenes in the 
midst of which his lot had been cast. He pulled 
a good oar; he laboured hard; could do almost 
any kind of work; and spoke ^English, French, and 
Indian almost equally well. He also had a natural 
talent for finding his way almost anywhere in the 
wilderness. Hence he had been- sent as guide to 
the expedition, though he had never been at the 
TJkon-River in his life. But he had been to other 
pafts of the Arctic shore, and had heard by 
report of the character and position of the river 
in question. 

“ It iss gettin’ late, Bartong ; don’t you think it 
would be as well to camp here ?” asked Mac- 
Sweenie. 

The bowman ceased rowing, and the crew 
followed his example, while he glanced inquiringly 
up at the sky and round his limited horizon, as 
guides and seamen are wont to do when asked for 
an opinion as to professional movements. 

“There will yet be daylight for an hour, and 
there is a small lake ahead of us. If we cross it, 
we come to a place where one of the Indians 
said he would meet us if we came to his country/’ 

“ That is true, Tonal’,” said the leader, turning 
quickly to his steersman, “ I had almost forgot that, 
it wass so long ago since we met them. Both 
Nazinred and Mozwa said something about meetin’ 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


285 


us, if we came to settle, though I paid little 
attention at the time. But are ye sure, Bartong, 
that this is the lake ? ” 

“ I know not. It is not unlikely. If it is the 
lake, it is small, and we will soon come to the end 
of it. If it is not the lake, an’ turns out to be 
big, we can camp on the shore. The night will be 
fine.” 

“ Go ahead then, boys,” cried the leader, “ we 
will try.” 

The oars were dipped at once, and the men 
pulled with a will, encouraged by the conversation, 
which seemed to indicate the approaching end of 
their voyage. 

The lake over the bosom of which they were 
soon sweeping proved to be a small one, as they 
had hoped, but whether it was the one referred to 
by the Indians remained to be seen. A sharp 
look-out was kept for the smoke of wigwams, but 
nothing of the kind was seen on either side, and 
the end of the lake was finally reached without 
any sign of the presence of natives being observed. 

“ No doubt Mozwa has forgotten, or it may be 
that he iss away to seek for his frund Nazinred 
among the Eskimos. No metter. We will camp 
here, whatever, for the night. I think on the 
other side o’ that point will be a goot campin’ 
ground.” 

He pointed in the direction indicated, and there 


286 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


was just daylight enough left to enable Mowat to 
steer into a narrow creek. 

There is something calming, if not almost- solem- 
nising, in the- quietude with which a- boat glides 
ashore, on a- dark night, under the overhanging 
trees of a wilderness- lake. The oars are neces- 
sarily stopped, and the voices hushed, while the 
bowman, standing erect, with a long pole in hand, 
tries to penetrate the thick mysterious darkness 
that seems to be the very gate of-JErebus. Bar- 
tong stood ready to thrust the head of the boat 
off any rocks that might suddenly appear in their 
course, or give the order to “back all” should 
the water become too shallow. But no obstacles 
presented themselves, and the boat forged slowly 
ahead until it lay alongside a ledge of rock or 
natural jetty. Then the spell was broken as the 
men leaped ashore and began to unload the things 
that were required for the night’s bivouac. 

Still, the voices were moderated, for it is not 
easy to shake off the tranquillising effect of such a 
scene a t^ such an hour, and it was not till the 
camp-fire was lighted, and the kettles were on, 
and the pipes going full blast, that the cheering 
effect of light chased the depressing, influence of 
darkness away. 

Then, indeed, MacSweenie, dropping th o^rdle of 
leader, assumed that of bon camarade ; and Mowat, 
descending from the dignity of steersman, enlarged 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


287 


upon his experiences in other days ; and Bartong, 
still retaining his dignity however, relaxed his 
anxious frown and listened with an air of intelli- 
gent appreciation that charmed every speaker, and 
induced the .belief that he could cap every-anec- 
dote and story if he only- chose to open his mouth; 
while the men divided their sympathies between 
the narratives, the tobacco-pipes, and the music of 
the frying-pan and bubbling kettle. 

Then, too, tha darkness into which they had 
penetrated^fled away, — not indeed entirely, but 
forsaking the bright spot thus created in the 
wilderness, it encircled the camp as with a wall of 
ebony. 

It was not long, however, ere appetites were 
appeased, and the voyagers sought repose ; for 
men who have to work hard all day at a healthy 
occupation are not addicted to late hours — at least 
not in the wildernesses of the nor’-west. Ere long 
every man was rolled in his blanket, stretched 
out with his feet to the fire and his head on his 
coat, while the blaze sank low, until at last the red 
embers alone remained to render darkness visible. 

Among the last to seek repose were the leader 
of the expedition, the interpreter, and the bow- 
man. Having the cares of state on their shoulders, 
these three naturally drew together for a little 
consultation after the others had retired. 

“ What iss your opeenion, Bartong?” asked Mac- 


288 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Sweenie, pushing down the tobacco in his pipe 
with the end of a very blunt and much charred 
forefinger ; “ do you think the savitches will come 
here at all ?” 

“ Maybe they will, and maybe they won’t,” 
answered the guide, with a caution worthy of the 
Scottish portion of his blood. “ We niver know 
what Injins is goin’ to do till they do it.” 

“Umph!” ejaculated the Highlander; “if 
Solomon had been your grandfather you could 
scarcely hev made a wiser speech. — What think 
you, Tonal’?” 

“ Weel, as ye put it to me, I must say that I ’m 
strongly of Bartong’s opeenion.” 

“Just so,” remarked MacS weenie, with a thought- 
ful air ; “ so, as I agree wi’ you both, I think it iss 
about time for us all to turn in.” 

He turned in accordingly, by lying back in his 
place and drawing his^ blanket over him. 

The other statesmen immediately ^followed his 
example, and the camp subsided into silence. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


2S9 


CHAPTER XXV. 

THE OUTPOST, AND EFFECT OF A te FUDDLE.” 

Soon afterwards the expedition of the fur- 
traders reached the Ukon River, a comparatively 
insignificant stream, but, from its character and 
position with -reference to the. Indians of that 
region, well suited for tho establishment of an 
outpost. At least so thought tha natives who had 
reported upon it. 

“ There iss no -doubt,” remarked MacSweenie, as 
he surveyed the banks of the river, “ that the place 
is nd that bad, but in my opeenion the summer 
will be ‘'short, whatever, an’ the winter it will be 
long.” 

“ Ye may be sure that you are not far wrong 
if it's like the ^ rest o’ this country,” replied 
Mowat. 

“ There now, look at that,” cried MacSweenie, 
who was a sketcher, and an enthusiast in regard to 
scenery ; “ did ever you see a prettier spot than 
that, Tonal’ ? Just the place for a fort^a wee 
burn dancin’ doon the hull, wi’ a bit fa’ to turn a 
T 


290 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


grindstone, an’ a long piece o’ flat land for the 
houses, an’ what a grand composeetion for a 
pictur’, — wi’ trees, gress, water, sky, an’ such light 
and shade ! Man, it ’s magneeficent ! ” 

“I’m thinkin’ that it’ll be a bad job if that 
keg o’ screw-nails we forgot at our last camp is 
lost—” 

“ Hoot, man, never mind the screw-nails. We 
can easy send back for it. But, wow ! there ’s a 
far grander place we ’re cornin’ in sight of — an’ — 
iss that an Indian tent I see ?” 

“Ay, an’ there’s more than- wan tent,” said 
Mowat, giving his steering oar a sweep that sent 
the boat farther out into the. stream, and enabled 
them better to see what lay beyond the bend of 
the river in front of them. 

“ Hold on, lads ; stop pullin’ !” 

The men lay on their oars and turned round to 
look ahead. The view presented there was indeed 
a pleasant and inspiring one, though it was scarcely 
entitled to the appellation “magneeficent,” which 
MacSweenie ^applied to it. 

The river at that place made a wide sweep on 
the right, round a low cliff which was crowned with 
luxuriant foliage. The stream opened out into 
something like a miniature lake, and the water was 
so calm that the cliff and its foliage made a clear 
dark reflection. The left bank was edged by a 
wide grass plateau some fifty yards wide, beyond 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


291 


which was a background of bushes and trees, with 
another “ wee burn,” which doubtless suggested to 
MacS weenie the useful as well as the picturesque. 
The distance was closed by ground varied in form 
as well as in character, indicating that a stream of 
considerable size joined the^-Ukon at that point. 

But that which interested the beholders most of 
all was a number of Indian-wigwams, which were 
pitched on the grassy plateau above referred to. 

“Yonder are omvfrunds, I make no doubt,” said 
MacSweenie in high glee. “ That man Mozwa iss 
as-goot as his word; an’ 1 do believe they have 
chosen the spot an’ been waitin’ for us. Gif way, 
boys ; ‘ an’, Tonal’, make for that landin’-slup — it 
must either be a naitural wan, or the Redskins 
hev made ifrfor us.” 

By that time the natives, having observed the 
boat, had launched several of their canoes. The 
first man who came alongside was Mozwa himself. 

“What cheer? what cheer, Mozwa?” cried the 
trader as he reached over the side and shook the 
Indian heartily by the hand. 

“ Watchee t watchee !” repeated Mozwa, return- 
ing the shake with equal goodwill, though undis- 
turbed solemnity. 

The trader’s surmise proved to be correct. 
Mindful of the prospect which had been held out 
to him and Nazinred, that an expedition might 
possibly be sent to establish an outpost and open 


292 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


up the. far trade in their immediate neighbourhood 
on the Ukon Kiver, Mozwa had made more than 
one trip to the contemplated scene of operations, 
after the disappearance of his friend Nazinred, 
with the view of making himself well acquainted 
with the land, and ascertaining the best site for 
the new fort. He did not of course suppose that 
the pale-faces would be guided entirely by his 
opinion, but he thought it not unlikely that they 
might weigh that opinion, and, if acted on at once, 
much time might be saved during the very-brief 
summer season they had in which to jplace them- 
selves comfortably in winter quarters before the 
hard weather should set in. 

“ You are a wise man, Mozwa,” said MacS weenie, 
when the Indian had explained his views to him 
in the united smoke of their pipes and the camp- 
fire. “ Your notion of a place for a fort iss not a 
bad one, an’ efter I hev had a look round I hev 
no doubt that I will agree wi’ you that this is the 
very best site in the neighbourhood. Tell him that, 
Tonal’, an’ say that I am fery much obleeged to him 
for all the forethought and trouble he hes taken.” 

Whether Donald translated all this as it was 
delivered we know not. From the peculiar cast of 
his mind, however, coupled with the moderate 
depth of his knowledge of the Indian tongue, it is 
probable that his translation was neither literal 
nor comprehensive. Indeed, it is not unlikely that 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 293 

his subsequent remark to one of his comrades — 
“we told Mozwa it was* very good of him to come 
to meet us, an’ the place would da well enough ” 
— was more like the- sentence to which he had 
reduced it. But whatever he said Mozwa seemed 
to be quite pleased with it. 

“ By the way, Tonal’, ask him about his friend 
Nazinred.” 

The serious way in which the Indian shook his 
head showed that he had no good news to tell. In 
a short time he had related all that was known 
about the sudden departure of his friend. 

While Mozwa was thus engaged with the leader 
of the expedition, their guide Bartong was wander- 
ing among the wigwams and making himself 
agreeable to the natives, who, because of his mixed 
blood and linguistic powers, regarded him as a 
half-brother. 

“Who is this man Nazinred that our leader is 
always talking about?” he asked of the old chief 
while seated in his tent. 

“He is one of our chiefs, one of our- boldest 
braves — ” 

“But* not so brave as he- looks,” interrupted 
Magadar, who was present ; “ he is fonder of peace 
than of fighting.” 

“ Foolish man !” exclaimed Bartong, with a smile 
so peculiar that Magadar did not feel quite sure 
that his remark was- sincere. “ But has he not left 


294 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


your, tribe ? I heard our steersman say something 
about that.” 

“ He left us in the winter to seek for hisr daughter, 
who was carried off by an Eskimo and has never 
come back since. We don’t -expect to see either 
of them again.” 

Magadar said this with a grave .countenance, for, 
however little he cared for the loss of the father, 
that of the daughter distressed him a little — not 
much, however ; for could he not console himself 
with another wife ? 

Having questioned the old chief a little more on 
this point, he wandered off into other subjects, and 
finally left — intending to visit the wife of Nazinred 
on his way back to camp. 

Isquay was .sitting beside her niece Idazoo, 
embroidering a moccasin, when Bar tong entered, 
squatted on a deerskin unceremoniously, and began 
to fill his pipe, 

“What kind of amian is your husband ?” asked 
the guide. 

“4 good man,” replied Isquay, who was tender- 
hearted, and could not speak of him without moist 
eyes. “ He was a good hunter. None of the young 
men could, equal him. And he was kind. He 
always had plenty of things to give me and 
Adolay” 

“ They say he did not-love war,” remarked Bar- 
tong. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


295 


“ No ; he hated it : but he was brave, and a good 
fighter — the best in the tribe. None of the young 
men dared to touch him.” 

“Was the young brave Alizay afraid to touch 
him ?” asked the guide, with a sly glance at the 
younger woman. 

At this Idazoo flushed and looked up angrily. 

“ No,” she said sharply ; “ Alizay fears nothing.” 

Bartong took no -notice of the remark, but con- 
tinued gravely to question the other. 

“ Was Nazinred very fond of his daughter ?” he 
asked. 

“Yes, very.” 

“ And was the girl fond of him and of you ?” 

“Yes,” replied the poor woman, beginning to 
weep gently. 

“ And she seems to have been very- fond of this 
Eskimo, who, they tell-me, saved your life once.” 

“She was, but I did not think she would go 
away, with him. It was not- like her — she was 
always so good and bidable, and told me every- 
thing.” 

“Why did your husband go off alone ?” 

“ I cannot tell. I suppose he knew that none of 
the young -men would go with him, or feared they 
might lose heart and turn back. No doubt he 
thought it best to go by himself, for he was very 
brave; nothing would. turn him back !” 

A fresh though silent dropping of tears occurred 


296 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


here, and a severe pang remorse shot through 
the heart of Idazoo as she thought of her unkind 
report of what had taken place beside the dead 
tree under the- cliff. 

“Don’t- cry, Isquay; Nazinred will come back, 
you may be- sure of that,” said the guide, in a 
confident tone, “ and he will bring your little girl 
along with him, for when a man is good and brave 
he never fails !” 

The brevity of summer near the shores of the 
Arctic Sea rendered it advisable that no time 
should be wasted in looking about too particularly 
for a site for the new trading post ; and as Mac- 
Sweenie was well pleased with Mozwa’s selection 
he at once adopted it and set to work. 

Deeming it important to open the campaign by 
putting a good taste in the mouths of his friends 
the Indians, he began by distributing a few gra- 
tuities to them — some coloured, beads to the 
women, and a few lines, fish-hooks, and tobacco 
to the men. Then he marked out a site for the 
future dwelling-house and store, got out the tools 
and set to work to fell, saw, and shape suitable 
timber for the buildings. He constituted Magadar 
chief hunter to the establishment, supplied him 
with a new gun, powder and ball, and sent him 
off to the woods as proud as, and doubtless much 
happier than, a king. Mozwa he kept by him, as 
a counsellor to whom he could appeal in all matters 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


297 


regarding the region and the people, as well as an 
overseer of those among his countrymen who were 
hired to render assistance. Alizay was sent off in 
a canoe^— much to the satisfaction of Mowat — for 
that forgotten keg of screw-nails which had lain so 
heavy on his mind, and the old chief was supplied 
with unlimited tobacco, and allowed to wander 
about at -will, under the agreeable impression 
that he was superintendent-general of the works. 
Isquay, ,Idazoo, and some of the other women 
were furnished with moose-deer skins and needles, 
and employed to make moccasins for the men, 
as well as to do all the needful repairs to gar- 
ments. 

Thus the plateau on the banks of the Ukon 
River presented, during the weeks that followed, 
a scene of lively hustle and unfamiliar noise to 
the furred and feathered inhabitants of those vast 
solitudes, and formed to the Red men a new and 
memorable era in their monotonous existence. 

At last there came a day when the roof of the 
principal dwelling was completely covered, the doors 
were fixed up, and the glazed windows fitted in. 

“Now, Tonal’,” remarked MacSweenie, on the 
morning of that auspicious day, “ it iss a- house- 
warming that I will be . giving to-night, for the 
Indians will be expectin’ .something o’ the sort, 
so you will be telling the cook to make the biggest 
lump o’ -plum-duff he ever putt his hands to ; an’ 


298 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


tell him not to spare the plums. It iss not every 
day we will be„givin’ thiss goot people a blow-out, 
an’ it iss a matter of great- importance, to my 
thinking, that first impressions should be good 
ones. It iss the duty of a new broom to sweep 
clean. If it continues, goot and well, but if it 
does not begin that way it iss not likely to come 
to it, whatever. There iss far more than people 
think in sentiment. If you fail to rouse a senti- 
ment of goot-will, or confidence, or whatever it 
may be, at a first start-off, it iss not easy to rouse 
it afterwards. Hev ye not noticed that, Tonal’ ?” 

"I can’t say. that I have,” answered the inter- 
preter, with a matter-of-fact, frown at the ground, 
“but I have noticed that the pit-saw they was 
usinbyesterday has been allowed to saw into the 
holdin’-irons and damaged half o’ — ” 

“ Hoots, man ! never mind the pit-saw ! ” ex- 
claimed MacSweenie, with a touch of ^asperity. 
“ All the planks we want are sawn, an’ if they were 
not, surely we could, mend — tut, man, I wonder 
ye can play the -fuddle. It always seemed to me 
that a goot fuddler must be a man of sentiment, 
but ye are the exception, Tonal’, that -proves the 
rule. Away wi’ you an’ gie my~orders to the cook, 
an’ see that you have the fuddle in goot tune, for 
we will want it to-night. An’ let him hev plenty 
of tea, for if we gain the women we ’re' sure o’ the 


men. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


299 


Mowat retired with a smile on his broad be- 
nignant face. He understood his leader, and 
was not offended by his. plain speaking. Besides, 
it was not easy to make tha. interpreter take 
offence. His spirit was of that happy nature 
which hopeth all -things and believeth all things. 
It flowed calm and deep like an untroubled river. 
Nothing short of a knock-down blow would have 
induced Donald Mowat to take offence, but that 
would certainly have- stirred him, and as he pos- 
sessed vast-physical strength, and was something 
awful to -behold when roused, and his comrades 
were aware of these facts, the serenity of his life 
was not often or deeply ruffled. 

The cook, who was an enthusiast in his art, did 
his best, and was eminently successful. His plum- 
duff dumpling was -bigger than any gun — at least 
of ancient, type — could have, swallowed, and the 
plums, as Mowat afterwards said, did not need to 
seek for. each other. He made enough of delight- 
fully greasy cakes to feed an. army, and, accord- 
ing to his own statement, infused “ lashin’s o’ tea.” 

Before the hour for the feast arrived that night, 
Mowat got out his violin and went into one of the 
rooms of the new house to put it in order. The 
window of the room looked towards the back of 
the house, where the forest was seen just beyond 
the plateau. 

Drawing a bench to the window, he sat down 


300 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


and opened the case. Of course he found the first 
string broken, but that did not break his heart, 
for he had a good supply of spare strings, and if 
these should fail — well, there were plenty of deer- 
sinews in the land. It was soon put to rights, and, 
leaning his back against the wall, he began to 
tickle the strings gently. Whatever he was at 
other times, there is no doubt that the interpreter 
was full of genuine sentiment the moment he got 
the violin under his chin. 

Now at that moment three young Dogrib braves 
chanced to be passing under the window, which 
was about .seven feet from the ground. Though 
equally young, and no doubt equally brave, as well 
as equally Dogribbed, those three youths were not 
equally matched, for one was tall and thin, another 
was short and thick, while the third was middle- 
sized and fat. They had been, hunting — success- 
fully — for the thick man carried a small deer on 
his lusty shoulders. 

On hearing the first notes of the instrument the 
three youths started into three different attitudes 
as if of petrified surprise, and remained so, waiting 
for more. 

They had not to wait long, for, after tic klin g 
the fiddle once or twice to get it in perfect tune, 
Mowat raised his eyes to the ^pine-plank ceiling 
and glided softly into _one of those exquisite 
Scottish - airs by means of which a first-rate q>er- 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


301 


former on the violin can almost draw the soul out 
of a man’s body. We think it. was “The Flowers 
of the Forest.” 

Whatever it was the three Pogribs were ravished. 
They turned their heads slowly, as if afraid to 
break the spell, and looked at each other, showing 
the whites of their great eyes increasingly, while 
each raised a -hand with spread fingers as if to 
keep the others froim speaking. They had never 
heard anything -approaching to it before. They 
had never even imagined anything like it. It was 
an utterly new-sensation. What could it be? 
They had heard of something strange in the 
musical way from Nazinred and Mozwa, but with 
the carelessness of youth they had scarce listened 
to the -comments of these men. Now it burst 
upon their awakened sense like sounds from some 
othen planet. Their mouths opened slowly as 
well as their eyes, and there was an expression 
of £we in their faces which betokened a touch of 
superstitious fear. 

Suddenly Mowat drew his bow across all the 
strings with a skirl that might have shamed the 
bagpipes, and burst into the Reel o’ Tullochgorum. 

The effect was 'electrical. The thick man 
dropped the deer ; the thin man sloped forward ; 
the fat man sprang into the air, and all three 
made for the woods as if all the- spirits of evil 
were after them in full cry. 


302 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


We need hardly say, after .this, that those 
Dogrib Indians spent an .excited and agreeable 
evening with the Jnr-traders. They appreciated 
the dancing r undoubtedly, though very few of them 
would .condescend to join. They appreciated the 
plum-duff and the greasy cakes highly, and they 
more than appreciated the- tea — especially the 
women — which MacSweenie took care to provide 
hot, jstrong, and sweet. But there is no doubt 
that the lion of the evening was-Mdie “ fuddle.” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


303 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

A MYSTEKIOUS JOURNEY AND A GREAT DISCOVERY. 

Putting on the wings of imagination, good 
reader, let us once more, fly over the snow-fields 
of the lone Nor’- west and return to the regions of 
thick-ribbed ice. We have to apologise humbly 
for asking you also to fly hack a little in time, 
and plunge once more into the .dreary winter, 
from which, no doubt, you thought you had fairly 
escaped. 

One morning toward the beginning of spring, 
referred to in last chapter, while yet the northern 
seas were covered with their solid garment, 
Cheenbuk announced to all whom it might con- 
cern that he intended to go off on a long journey 
to the eastward— die called it the place where the 
Great Light rises — for purposes which he did not 
see fit publicly to reveal. 

At that time the Great Light to which he re- 
ferred had begun to show symptoms of intention 
to return to the dark regions which it had forsaken 
for several months. The glimmer on the eastern 


304 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


sky had been increasing perceptibly each day, and 
at last had reached the point of producing a some- 
what rosy twilight for. two or three hours before 
and after noon. King-Frost, however, still-reigned 
supreme, and the dog-sledge as yet was the only 
mode of travelling among the islands or on the sea. 

“ Why go you towards the rising sun ? ” asked 
Nazinred when Cheenbuk invited him to be one 
of the party. 

“ Because it is from my countrymen who dwell 
there that we get the hard stuff that is so good for 
our spear-heads, and lances, and arrows. We 
know not where they find the stuff, and they 
won’t tell. I shall go and find out for myself, and 
take back plenty of it to our people.” 

The “hard stuff” referred to was hoop-iron, 
which, as well as nails and a few hatchets, the 
Eskimos of the eastern parts of the Arctic shores 
obtained from whale-ships and passed on to Jbheir 
friends in the more -remote regions of the farther 
north. 

“I can tell you how they, get it,” said the 
Indian. “White traders to whom our people go 
with their furs have spoken of such things, and 
my ears have been open. They say that there are 
white men who come over the -great-salt lake 
from far-off lands in big big canoes. They come 
to catch the great whales, and it is from them 
that the hard stuff comes,” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 305 

For some minutes the Eskimo was silent. A 
new idea had entered his head and he was turning 
it over. 

“ Have you ever seen these white men or their 
big canoes?” asked Cheenbuk with great in- 
terest. 

“Never. The salt lake where they kill the 
whale is too far from my people’s hunting-grounds. 
But the white traders I have visited have seen 
them. Some traders have come from the same 
far-off lands in big canoes of the same sort.” 

" Is it very far from here to the seas to which 
these whale-killers come ?” 

“Very far from the hunting-grounds of the 
Dogribs, but it may not be far from here.” 

“ I will go and see,” said Cheenbuk, with much 
decision, and he went off forthwith to make pre- 
parations. The expedition consisted of one large 
sledge with a team of-twelve dogs. Being re- 
solved not to risk failure by taking too many com- 
panions, the Eskimo limited the number to seven, 
besides himself — namely, -Nazinred, with his fire- 
spouter ; Oolalik, whom he deemed the strongest 
and bravest among the young men ; Anteek, the 
most plucky of the big boys ; Aglootook, the 
medicine-man, whom he took “for luck;” and 
Nootka, as being the most vigorous and hard- 
working among the women. She could repair the 
boots, etc., and do what little cooking might be 
u 


306 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


required. Cowlik the .easy-going was also taken 
to keep Nootka company. 

It was high noon when the party set out on 
their mysterious journey, and a brighter glow 
than usual was suffusing the eastern sky, while a 
gleam of direct sunshine, the first seen that 
spring, was tipping the peaks of the higher bergs 
as if with burnished gold. 

It was merely a whim that induced Cheenbuk 
to throw an air of mystery over the expedition. 
Having no definite idea himself of what he was 
going in search of, or how long he should be away, 
he thought it wisest to look solemn and keep his 
thoughts to himself ; thereby impressing his kins- 
men with the belief that he was one of the wisest 
men of the tribe, which in truth he ..was. Being, 
as we have said elsewhere, a man of humour 
and a good-natured fellow, he thought that the 
presence of the magician, whom he believed to be 
an arrant humbug, would add, mystery as well as 
interest to the expedition. 

Aglootook was himself thoroughly convinced on 
this point, and sought by every means to induce 
the leader to disclose his object and plans, but as 
Cheenbuk maintained inflexible reticence on this 
matter, the magician made a virtue of necessity, 
shook his head solemnly when spoken to about it, 
and gave it to be understood generally that in 
his and the leader’s minds there were rolling 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 307 

about thoughts and. intentions that were far too 
deep for-utterance. 

Cheenbuk would have offered a.seat to Adolay, 
but her father thought it better to- decline for 
her. She was therefore left in the camp in care 
of old Mangivik and his amiable spouse. 

Travelling by dog-sledge among the Eskimos is 
rapid and -exhilarating when the ice is unbroken. 
When the explorers left the village and made for 
the far east, the plain off ice before them was 
level and smooth as far as the eye could reach. 
They therefore went along at a. swinging pace, 
the team stretching out at full gallop, a crack 
from the whip resounding only- now and then, 
when one of the dogs inclined to become re- 
fractory. 

The short day soon- vanished, and the long 
night with its galaxy of stars and shooting aurora 
still found them gliding swiftly over the white 
plain. 

At last a line of hummocks and icebergs rose up 
before them, as if to bar their further progress, 
and the dogs reduced their speed to a trot, 
until, on reaching the broken ice, they stopped 
altogether. 

“We will camp here,” said Cheenbuk, jumping 
off and stretching himself. “Make the- igloe 
there,” he added, pointing to a convenient spot 
in the lee of a small- berg. 


308 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


The whole party went to work, and in a wonder- 
fully short time had constructed one of their snow 
bee-hives large enough to contain them all. 

Here they ate a hasty supper and spent several 
hours in a slumber so profound and motionless 
that it seemed as if they were all dead; not a 
sigh, not even a snore, broke the stillness of the 
night. Next morning they were up and off long 
before the first glimmer of dawn proclaimed the 
advent of a new day. 

Fortunately a passage among the ridges of 
broken ice was found, through which the sledge 
was hauled with comparative ease, and before 
noon they had reached the open sea-ice beyond, 
over which they again set forth at full swing. 

Little food had been brought, for they depended 
chiefly on their weapons to supply them, and as 
seals abounded everywhere, as well as walruses, 
they had no lack. 

Thus they advanced for several days, sometimes 
being retarded a little by broken ice, but for 
the most part dashing at full speed over smooth 
surfaces. 

One day they came to a long stretch of land, 
extending to the right and left as far as the eye 
could reach, which seemed to be a check to their 
progress, for it was extensively covered with willow 
bushes. Cheenbuk climbed a neighbouring berg 
with Nazinred to have a look at it. The Eskimo 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 309 

looked rather glum, for the idea of land-travelling 
and struggling among willows was repugnant to 
him. 

“ I don’t like the look of this,” he said, turning 
to his companion ; “ there seems no end to it.” 

“Let not my son be cast down,” returned the 
Indian ; “ men-of-the-woods understand the nature 
of land. This looks like a low flat, running out 
from the mainland. If so, it is not likely to be 
very wide, and we shall be sure to find the great 
salt lake on the other side of it. Besides, away 
to the left I see something like a small lake. If 
we go there we may find hard snow on which the 
dogs can run.” 

“There is bad fortune here,” said Aglootook, 
endeavouring to look oracular, as he came up at 
that moment with Anteek. “We must go far 
away in dhat direction,” he added, pointing to the 
right, and looking at his leader with the aspect 
as well as the wisdom of an owl. 

The fact was that from the start the magician had 
been thirsting for some opportunity to display his 
profound sagacity, and in his opinion the time had 
arrived, for in other men’s extremity he was wont 
to find his opportunity. True, he knew no more 
than the king of Ashantee which was the best 
line to take— right or left, — but much of the 
power he had acquired over his fellows was due to 
his excessive self-sufficiency, coupled with reckless 


310 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


prompitude in taking action. If things went well 
lie got the credit ; if wrong — well, he was ingenious 
in devising explanations ! 

“Aglootook is wise/’ said Cheenbuk, with 
gravity and a glance at Anteek ; “ I will act on his 
advice, hut first I must take just a little run to 
the left , to find out something that I see there.” 

Anteek was not naturally rude, but there was a 
sensation in him at that moment which induced 
him to turn his back on the magician and become 
absorbed in the contemplation of a -neighbouring 
berg. When he turned round again his face was 
a little flushed. 

Nazinred was right. There was not only a lake 
at the place which he pointed out, but a chain of 
small lakes, over which the dogs scampered as 
well as if they had been on the open- sea. That 
night, however, they were obliged to encamp 
among the willows, but next night they reached 
the other side of what was evidently a large 
promontory, and finally swept out again on the 
familiar frozen sea. 

The day following they arrived at an obstruction 
which it appeared as if neither the wisdom of 
Aglootook, the sagacity of Nazinred, nor the 
determination of Cheenbuk could enable them to 
surmount. 

This was a mighty barrier of broken ice, which 
had probably been upheaved by the flow of cross 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


311 


currents when the sea was setting fast in autumn, 
or the action of conflicting bergs, many of which 
were imbedded in the mass, thus giving to it the 
appearance of a small mountain range with higher 
peaks rising above the general elevation. 

On beholding it Aglootook recovered some of 
his self-respect, and, with a look of wisdom quite 
inconceivable byjdiose who have not seen it, 
expressed his solemn belief that they would have 
escaped this -difficulty if they had only acted on 
his advice, and travelled to the right ! 

Cheenbuk admitted that he seemed to have 
been mistaken, in a tone which again set Anteek 
contemplating one of the neighbouring bergs with 
a countenance not altogether devoid of colour, and 
the leader drove the team towards the least for- 
bidding part of the ridge. 

“You will never- get across,” said Aglootook in 
a low voice. 

“ I will try,” returned Cheenbuk. 

“ It is -madness,” said the magician. 

“ People have often called me mad,” responded 
Cheenbuk, “ so if they were right I am well fitted 
to do it.” 

It was an exceedingly .difficult crossing. In 
some places the blocks and masses were heaped 
together in such confusion that it seemed as if the 
attempt to pass were - useless, and the magician 
solaced himself by frequent undertoned' references 


312 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


to the advantage in general of travelling right 
instead of left. But always when things looked 
most hopeless the indefatigable Cheenbuk found a 
passage — often very narrow and crooked, it is true, 
— through which they managed to advance, and 
when the way was blocked altogether, as it was 
more than once, Cheenbuk and the Indian cleared 
a passage with their axes, while Anteek led the 
dogs over the obstruction, and Oolalik guided the 
sledge over it. Nootka usually stood on a con- 
venient ice-mound and admired the proceedings, 
while Aglootook, who had no axe, stood beside 
her and gave invaluable advice, to which nobody 
paid the slightest attention. 

At last, after many a fall and slip and tremen- 
dous slide, they reached the other side of the ridge, 
and once again went swiftly and smoothly over 
the level plain. 

“We shall not find them,” remarked Oolalik, 
becoming despondently prophetic as he surveyed 
the wide expanse of frozen sea, with nothing but 
bergs and hummocks here and there to break its 
uniformity. 

“We -must find them,” replied Cheenbuk, with 
that energy of resolution which usually assails a 
man of vigorous physique and strong will when 
difficulties accumulate. 

“ But, my son, if we do not find them it will not 
matter much, for the white traders of the woods 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 313 

have plenty of the. hard stuff, and all other things 
also, and when we - return to the Greygoose River 
at the opening of the waters, we may take the 
teeth of the walrus and the skins of the seal and 
begin a trade with them. I have much of their 
goods in my owm wigwam, and Cheenbuk knows 
that I can guide him to the home of the trader on 
the great fresh lake.” 

Oolalik glanced at -Nootka while the Indian 
spoke, as if he felt that a splendid prospect of 
decorative, ornamental, and other delights was 
opening up todier. Nootka returned the glance 
as if she felt that a splendid opportunity of secur- 
ing such delights for her was opening up to him. 

Cheenbuk did not reply, being engaged in the 
profound abysses of thought which had been 
opened up by his red friend’s suggestion. 

Before he could find words to reply, Nazinred, 
whose vision was keen and practised, pointed 
out something that appeared like a cloud on the 
horizon ahead of them, and which he declared 
to be land. 

“I have noticed that the eyes of the man-of- 
the- woods are sharper than those of the Eskimo,” 
said Cheenbuk. 

The Indian received this compliment with a 
gaze of calm indifference, as though he heard it 
not. 

Just then an exclamation from Anteek attracted 


314 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


general attention. He pointed to a mound of 
snow on the ice a short way to the left of the 
track which had a peculiar shape. 

“Something covered over with snow,” said 
Cheenbuk, turning the dogs in that direction by 
the simple but significant expedient of sending 
his long whip with a resonant crack to the right 
of the team. 

“It is a^ man,” remarked Nazinred as they 
drew near. 

He was right. On clearing away the snow 
they founcLthe dead body of a man, some por- 
tions of whose costume resembled that of a 
sailor, though of course none of _ those who 
discovered it were aware of that fact. 

“ Kablunet ! ” exclaimed Cheenbuk, using the 
Eskimo term for white man. 

How long the poor man had lain there it was 
not easy to guess, for the body was frozen stiff, 
so that decay was impossible, but the fact that 
it had not been discovered by bears argued that 
it could not have lain long. Its emaciated 
appearance and the empty sack slung across the 
shoulder showed that death must have been the 
result of starvation. There was a short-loaded 
carbine lying beside the body, and in a pouch 
a flask of powder with a few bullets. 

“I think,” said Nazinred, after careful inspec- 
tion of the remains, “ that this is one of the white 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 315 

men who come over the-salt lake in their big 
canoes.” 

“ If so,” said Cheenbuk, “ we will-follow his 
track, and may come to the- big canoe itself; 
perhaps some of the Kablunets may be yet 
alive.” 

The Indian shook his head. 

“ Men do not start off alone on a journey to 
nowhere,” he replied. “ The big canoe must have 
been crushed in the ice, and the men must have 
started off together to - search for Eskimos. I 
think they must -all have died on the way, and 
this one walkecLfarthest ” 

“The man-of-the-woods is wise,” said Oolalik. 
“ If we follow the track we shall soon find out.” 

“Yes,” said Aglootook, putting on his most 
prophetic air. “Go on the -track straight as we 
can go — that is my -advice, and we shall be quite 
sure to come t (^something.” 

Cheenbuk acted on the advice. Having buried 
the body of the unfortunate sailor in a snow- 
grave, and taken possession of the carbine and 
other things, they leaped on the sledge again, 
and continued to advance along the track, which, 
though in some places almost^ obliterated, was 
easily followed. They had not advanced more 
than a mile when another mound was discovered, 
with another seaman below it, whom they buried 
in the same way, and close to it a third, whose 


316 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


costume being in some parts a little finer, they 
correctly guessed to be a chief. 

At last they came in sight of a large mound, 
and on uncovering it found a boat with four 
dead men lying near it. All seemed to have 
died of starvation, and the reason why some of 
them had forsaken the boat was obvious, for it 
was crushed out of shape by ice; the bottom 
having been cut completely away, so that all 
the provisions they had to depend on had no 
doubt been lost. 

“This is not the big canoe,” remarked the 
Indian, while they examined it. “The big one 
must have been sunk, and they had to try to 
escape in the little one.” 

The party spent a long time in examining the 
boat, and as there was a good deal of iron about 
it which might be useful, they resolved to re-visit 
it on the homeward journey. 

Setting off again, they now made straight for 
the land discovered by Nazinred, which now lay 
like a dark blue line of hills in the far distance. 
From the abrupt termination of the land at either 
extremity of the range it was judged to be a large 
island. 

As the night was clear and the ice level, the 
party travelled all that night, and arrived at the 
island about daybreak the following morning. 

The shore was rocky and desolate, with high 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


317 


cliffs behind it, so that further progress to the 
eastward was evidently impossible, unless by 
passing round the island to the north or south 
of it. 

“I said you would come tQ something ,” said 
the magician, sententiously, as they drew near to 
the forbidding coast. 

“ You were right, Aglootook. Indeed, it would 
be impossible for you to be wrong,” replied 
Cheenbuk, with one of those glances at Anteek 
which rendered it hard for the boy to preserve 
his gravity; yet he was constrained to make the 
effort, for the magician was very sensitive on 
the point, and suspected the boy. 

They were by this time running between the 
headlands of a small bay, and suddenly came in 
sight of an object which caused them all to 
exclaim with surprise and excitement — for there, 
under the shelter of a high cliff, lay a three- 
masted ship, or, as the Indian termed it, the 
white man’s big canoe. 


318 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


CHAPTER XXVII. 


INTERESTING, AMUSING, AND ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES. 

Although close under the cliffs, and apparently 
on the rocks, the vessel was by no means a wreck, 
neither had it the aspect of one. There were 
no broken masts or tattered sails or ropes dangling 
from the yards. On the contrary, the masts were 
straight and sound ; such of the yards as had not 
been lowered were squared, and all the ropes were 
trim and taut. 

The deck was covered over with a roof of canvas, 
and the snowrbanked-up all round so as to meet 
the lower edges of it and form a protection from 
tho^wind. Up one side of this bank of snow a 
flight of stairs had been cut, leading to the port 
gangway, and the prints of many feet were seen 
all round the ship converging towards the stairs, 
the steps of which were worn as if by much use. 

At first the natives approached the vessel with 
extreme^caution, not being sure of what might be 
their ^ reception if any man should be on board, 
and with a sense of awe at beholding a mysterious 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 319 

object which had hitherto been utterly beyond the 
range of their experience, though not quite un- 
known to them by report. By degrees, however, 
they drew nearer and nearer, until they reached 
the bottom of the snow staircase. Still there was 
no sound to be heard in the white man’s big 
canoe to indicate the presence of a 'human being. 

At last Cheenbuk uttered a-shout with the view 
of attracting attention, but there was no reply. 

“ Make the-fire-spouter speak,” he said, looking 
at his Indian friend. 

Nazinred silently obeyed, pointed his- gun at 
the clouds, and- fired ; then the whole party awaited 
the result, listening intently. They heard much 
more than had been expected, for the cliffs em- 
braced several^echoes, which, being thus rudely 
awakened, sent the shot crashing back with 
multiplied violence, to the no little surprise, as 
well as^alarm, of the- hearers. 

Still all was. silent on board of the ship, and at 
last, coming to the conclusion that there was no 
living soul there at all, the Indian, having re- 
loaded his gun, began to -ascend the. staircase, 
closely followed by Cheenbuk, Oolalik, Anteek, 
and Aglootook — which last, being a cautious man, 
was careful to bring up the rear. Nootka and 
Cowlik remained on the ice to observe the end of 
it all — the former anxiously curious, the latter 
curiously easy. For some time these two stood in 


320 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


silent expectancy. Then Oolalik appeared at the 
top of the staircase, and, looking down with a face 
in which solemmwonder had reached its utmost 
limit of expression, beckoned them to come up. 

Nootka obeyed with alacrity; her companion, 
leisurely. 

What the party saw on entering the vessel was 
well fitted to arouse- wonder in their unsophisti- 
cated minds. Whether it was one of the numerous 
discovery ships that have invaded those regions in 
the present century, or a whaler which had been 
driven out of its course by stress of weather or 
power of ice, is- uncertain, for although some relics 
. of the expedition ultimately reached the outpost 
of the fur-traders, nothing was -brought away by 
the Eskimos which bora. name or date oz writing 
of any kind. Although ignorant of the meaning 
as well as the uses of almost everything they saw, 
those natives were quite sufficiently intelligent to 
guess that the- white man’s big canoe had been set 
fast in the ice the previous autumn, and laid up 
for the winter in this place of safety to serve as a 
big igloe or .hu t. 

Their examination of the ship was at first very 
slow, for they stepped about on tiptoe as if afraid 
of disturbing some of the-- ghosts of its former 
inhabitants. Then, a speculative gaze had to be 
turned on each object for a few moments, followed 
by an inquiring glance at each other. The deck 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 321 

and its accompaniments of masts rising through 
the canvas roof, and ropes, and blocks, hatches, 
skylights, companions, etc., afforded them matter 
for unbounded astonishment; though what they 
afterwards ^discovered below was productive of 
unutterable-amazement. 

“ Hoi ! ” exclaimed Cheenbuk, pointing at some- 
thing with all his ten fingers expanded. 

He had discovered the- binnacle, and was gazing 
for the- first time at the mariner’s-eompass ! 

“ Hi ! ” cried the responsive Anteek in a wide- 
eyed condition. 

He had discovered the' after-companion, which 
was partially open, and was gazing solemnly into 
the depths below. 

The unwonted nature of their surroundings 
developed an unsuspected vein of « curiosity in 
Cowlik,. who pushed the- companion-door open, 
and, seeing a flight of steps with some degree of 
light below, she began to- descend. Whether 
Nootka’s surprise at this sudden act of self- 
assertion, or her curiosity, was the stronger, it 
would be hard to say, but she immediately went 
after Cowlik. The men, seeing the way thus indi- 
cated, did not hesitate to follow. 

Of course they all held tenaciously by the brass 
rail, being afraid to slip on the steep stair, and 
some of them, slewing round almost naturally, 
went down in true sailor fashioivbackwards. 


x 


322 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Reaching the bottom, the - girls, probably by 
chance, turned to the left and entered the- after- 
cabin. The men of the party turned to the 
right, and became absorbed inr contemplation of 
the. .steward’s- pantry. It smelt deliciously, but 
that was all that remained of its native attractions, 
for of food or drink there wasi nothing left. 

They had just made this discovery when a loud 
laughs and then a wild* scream from the cabin 
horrified .them. Cheenbuk and Oolalik drew their 
knives, Nazinred cocked his- gun, Anteek grasped 
a rolling-pin that lay handy, and all four sprang 
to the rescue. 

The scream came from- Cowlik. She had 
suddenly faced a^ mirror that hung in the cabin, 
and beheld a perfect-representation of her^own 
fat face. It was by no means an unknown face, 
for she had often had an imperfect view of it in 
pools and in calm seas, but it quite took her 
aback when thus- unexpectedly and-clearly pre- 
sented. The blaze of- astonishment that followed 
the first glance caused the burst of- laughter 
referred to, and the display of her wide mouth 
and white teeth in the changed expression in- 
duced the scream of- alarm. It also made her 
start backward so quickly that she sent poor 
Nootka crashing against the starboard bulkhead. 

“ Look ! ” cried the frightened girlsf pointing to 
the mirror. 


r '/ 



“TO THE RESCUE.”— Page 322. 



























































































































































A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 323 

The three Eskimos sprang forward and received 
something like an electric- shock on beholding 
their own faces. 

Cheenbuk turned to Nazinred, but that usually 
grave Indian was indulging in a patronising smile 
instead of sharing their surprise. 

“ I know^ what it is,” he said quietly. “ I have 
seen it before, in the stores of the >«fur- traders, but 
never so-big as that.” 

Familiarity, it is said, breeds contempt. After 
gazing at themselves in the miraculous mirror 
for some time, an idea- occurred to Anteek. He 
suddenly shot out his- tongue, which happened 
to be a very- long one. Anteek’s reflection did 
the same. Thereupon Oolalik opened his mouth 
wide and laughed. So did Oolalik’s- reflection, 
which had such an effect upon Cheenbuk that he 
also burst into a fit ofdaughter. The girls, pressing 
forward to see what it was, likewise presented 
grinning faces, which formed such a contrast to the 
grave countenance of' Nazinred, as he stood there 
in all the dignity of superior- knowledge, that the 
whole party went off into uncontrollable- explosions, 
which fed upon what they created until the tears 
were running down the cheeks of the Eskimos, and 
the Indian himself was constrained at last to^smile 
benignly. 

But mirth gave place to solemnity again, not 
unmingled with pity, as they spent hour after hour 


324 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


examining the various parts of the forsaken ship. 
Of course they could go over only a small part of 
it that day. When the short day came to a close 
they went to the shore and -encamped in their 
usual way-^not'-daring to sleep on board a big 
canoe, about which as yet theyJknew so little. 

On shore they found more subjects of interest 
and perplexity, for here were several - mounds 
marked by crosses, and a large mound surmounted 
by a, pole on the top of which were fluttering a few 
remnants of- red cloth. The shape of the smaller 
mounds naturally led them to dnfer that they were 
the graves of. white men who had died there, but 
the large mound was- inexplicable until Nazinred 
recollected having seen a flag hoisted on a pole at 
the fort on Great Bear Lake. 

, “ I remember,” he said to Cheenbuk, “ that the 
traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of 
a pole like this, at times, when something of im- 
portance happened. Perhaps the chief of the big 
canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted 
the red cloth over him to. mark the place.” 

“ My father may be right,” observed the Eskimo ; 
“ but why did they put such a heap of stones above 
him?” 

“ Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him,” 
returned the Indian thoughtfully, “ or, it may be, 
to show him great respect.” 

Besting satisfied with these surmises, the two 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD S25 

men returned to their encampment without 
disturbing the mound, which was, in all pro- 
bability, a cairm covering & record of the<expedition 
which had come to such an -untimely end. 

Next day, the moment there was enough of 
light to enable them to resume the search, the 
Eskimos hurried on board the ship and began to 
ransack every hole and corner, and they found 
much that caused their eyes to glitter with the 
delight of men who have unexpectedly discovered 
a mine of gold. Among other things, they found 
in a small room which had been used as a black- 
smith’s forge, large quantities of hoop, bar, and 
rod -iron. While Cheenbuk and Oolalik were 
rejoicing over this find, Anteek rushed in upon 
them in a state of considerable excitement with 
something in his hand. It was a large-watch of 
the double-cased “ warming-pan ” tribe. 

“ Listen ! ” exclaimed the boy, holding it up to 
Cheenbuk’s ear, and giving it a shake ; “ it speaks.” 

“ What is it ? ” murmured the Eskimo. 

“ I don’t know, but it does not like shaking, for 
it only speaks a little when I- shake it. I tried 
squeezing, but it does not care for- that.” 

Here again Nazinred’s superior knowledge came 
into play, though to a limited extent. 

“ I have seen a thing like-that,” he said. “ The 
trader at the great fresh-water lake had- one. He 
carried it in a small bag at his waist, and used 


326 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


often to pull it out and look at it. He never told 
me wliat it was for, but once be let me hear it 
speak. It went on just like this one— tik, tik , tik , 
— but it did not require shaking or squeezing. I 
think it had a tongue like some of our squaws, 
who never stop 'Speaking. One day when I went 
into the trader’s house I saw it lying on the thing 
with four legs which the white men put their food 
on when they want to eat, and it was talking away 
to itself as fast as ever.” 

They were still engaged with this mystery when 
a cry of delight from. Nootka drew them back to 
the cabin, where they found the girl clothed in a 
pilot-cloth-coat, immensely too large for her. She 
was standing admiring herself in the mirror — so 
quickly had her feminine intelligence applied the 
thing to its proper use; and, from the energetic 
but abortive efforts she made to wriggle round so 
as to obtain a view of her back, it might have been 
supposed that she had beem-trained to the arts of 
civilisation fronr childhood. 

With equal and earnest assiduity Cowlik was 
engaged in adorning her head with a black 
flannel-lined sou’-wester, but she had some 
trouble with it, owing to the height of her 
top-knot of hair. 

Ridiculous though the two girls might have 
looked in our eyes, in those of their companions 
they only seemed peculiar and interesting, for 


A ROMANCE OE THE ICE-WORLD 


327 


the step between the- sublime and' ridiculous is 
altogether, relative, in Eskimo-land as elsewhere. 
There was no opportunity, however, to dwell long 
in contemplation of any new thing, for the- dis- 
co veriest came thick and fast. Cowlik had barely 
succeeded in pulling the ear-pieces of the sou’- 
wester well down, and tying the strings under her 
fat chin, when a tremendous -clanking was heard, 
as of some heavy-creature approaching the cabin 
door. Cheenbuk dropped forward the point of his 
spear, and Nazinred kept his- gun handy. Not that 
they were actually alarmed, of course, but they felt 
that in such unusual circumstances the least they 
could do was to be-ready for whatever might befall 
— or turn up. 

A moment later and Aglootook- stalked into the 
cabin, his legs encased in a pair of fishermen’s 
sea-boots, so large that they seemed quite to 
diminish his natural proportions. 

In all their discoveries, however, they did not 
find a single scrap of any kind of- food. It was 
quite clear that the poor fellows had held by the 
ship as long as~ provisions- lasted, in the hope, 
no doubt, that they might ultimately succeed in 
working their way out of- the ice, and then, when 
inevitable -starvation stared them in the face, they 
had tried to escape in their -boats, but without 
success — at least in .one case, though how many 
boats had thus left to undertake the forlorn hope 


328 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


of storming the strongholds of the polar seas it 
was impossible to tell. 

On the second night, as the Eskimos sat in their 
igloe at supper talking over the events of the day, 
Nazinred asked Cheenbuk what he intended to 
do, — 

“For,” said he, “it is not possible to take back 
with us on one sledge more than a small part of 
the many good things that we have found.” 

“ The man-of-the-woods is right,” interposed the 
magician ; “ he is wise. One sledge cannot carry 
much. I told you that we were sure to find-some- 
thing. Was I not> right? Have we not found it? 
My advice now is that we go back with as much as 
we can carry, and return with four or five sledges 
— or even more, — and take home all that it is 
possible to collect.” 

“ Aglootook is always full of- knowledge and 
wisdom,” remarked Cheenbuk, as he drove his 
powerful teeth into a tough bear-steak, and 
struggled with it for some moments before con- 
tinuing his remarks ; “ but — but — ha ! he does 
not quite see through an iceberg. I will — (Give me 
another, Nootka, with more-fat on it), — I will go 
back, as he wisely advises, with as much as the 
sledge will carry, and will return not. only with 
four or five sledges, but with all the _ sledges we 
have got, and all the -dogs, and -all the men and 
women and children— even to the, smallest babe 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD §29 

that wears no clothes and. lives in its mother’s 
hood, and sucks „ blubber. The whole tribe shall 
come here and -live here, and make use of the good 
things that have-fallen in our way, till the time of 
open water draws near. Then we will drive to 
the place where we have left our kayaks and 
oomiaks, some of us will go to Waruskeek, and 
some to pay a visit to the-Fire-spouters at Whale 
Eiver. — Give me another lump, Nootka. The last 
was a little one, and I am hungry. ,, 

The grandeur of Cheenbuk’s^ plan, as compared 
with Aglootook’s suggestion, was so great that the 
poor magician collapsed. 

Anteek looked at him. Then he covered his 
young face with his hands and bent his head 
forward upon his knees. It was too- early for 
going to rest. The boy might have been- sleeping, 
but there was a slight- heaving of the young 
shoulders which was not suggestive o£ repose. 

Later on in the evening, while Nazinred was 
enjoying his pipe, and the Eskimos were looking 
on in unspeakable admiration, Cheenbuk remem- 
bered that the last time he quitted the ship he had 
left his spear behind him. 

“I’ll go and-fetch it,” said Anteek, who pos- 
sessed that amiable and utterly delightful nature 
which offers to oblige, or do a service, without 
waiting to be asked. In a few minutes he was out 
upon the ice on his errand. Soon he gained the 


330 


the walrus hunters 


snow-staircase, and, running up, made his way to 
the cabin where the spear had been' left. 

Now it chanced that a polar~-bear, attracted 
perhaps by the- odour of cookedrfood, had wandered 
near to the ship and- observed the young Eskimo 
ascend. Polar bears are not ^ timid. On the con- 
trary, they are usually full of- courage. They 
are also full of curiosity. The night was clear, and 
when that bear saw the youth go up the stair, it 
immediately went to the place to- inspect it. 
Courage and caution are not necessarily antagon- 
istic. On arriving at the foot of the stair it 
paused to paw and otherwise ^examine it. Then 
it began to ascend slowly, as if- doubtful of con- 
sequences. 

Now, if it were not for coincidences a great many 
of the extraordinary events of-this life would never 
have ^happened. For instance — but the instances 
are so numerous that it may be well not to begin 
them. It happened that just as the bear began 
to /ascend the snow staircase Anteek with the 
spear in his hand began to ascend the companion- 
ladder. But the chief point of the coincidence 
lay here — that just as the bear- reached the top of 
the stair the boy reached the very same spot, and 
next moment the two stood face to face within 
four^feet of each other. 

We will not go into the irrelevant question 
which was the more' surprised. Anteek at once 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 331 

uttered a, yell, compounded of courage,- despair, 
ferocity^ horror, and other ingredients, which 
startled into wild. confusion all the echoes of the 
cliffs. The bear opened its mouth as if to reply, 
and the boy instantly rammed the spear into it. 

He could not have done anything worse, except 
run away, for a bear’s mouth is. tough. Happily, 
however, the monster was standing in a very 
upright position, and the- violence of the thrust 
sent him off his. balance. He felhbackwards down 
the stair, and came on the ice with an astounding 
crash that doubled him up and crushed all the 
wind out of his- lungs in a bursting roar. 

Fortunately his great weight caused the- destruc- 
tion of five or six of the lower, steps, so that when 
he rose and tried viciously to-re-ascend, he was 
unable to* do so. 

Of course the uproar brought the men on shore 
to the rescue, and while the bear was making 
furious attempts to reconstruct the broken stair- 
case, Nazinred went close up and put a bullet in 
its brain. 


332 


taiE Walrus hunters 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

THE SHIP RE-VISITED AND RE-EXPLORED. 

Cheenbuk’s plan was afterwards fully carried 
out. On the return of the party with all their 
wonderful news and wealth of old iron, the greatest 
excitement prevailed in the tribe, and the persons 
composing the expedition became- heroes and 
heroines for the time being. Each member formed 
a centre of attraction and a subject of cross- 
examination to its own particular relatives and 
friends. 

In the igloe of Aglootook was assembled, 
perhaps, one of the most, surprised, if not one of 
the most -credulous, of the gatherings — for the 
magician had a strong hold on the imagination of 
the greatermumber of his -tribe, and a wonderful 
power of oratory. His wife in particular idolised 
him, which said much for his -amiability, and his 
only sister worshipped him, which spoke volumes 
for her gullibility. 

“ Yes,” he exclaimed, gazing round on the circle 
of his admirers ; “ I said' from the first that this 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 333 

would be a wonderful trip, and that we would be 
sure to find- something. And did we not find it ?” 

(Vigorous assent by look and voice from the 
audience.) 

“ And,” he continued, with a lowered voice and 
solemn look, “if Cheenbuk had not turned to 
th ejsft when I told him, we never would have 
found it.” 

“ But what was it like ? ” asked an elderly man 
with a squat nose, whose mind was not quite clear, 
although he had already listened to an elaborate 
description. 

“ Like ? Ho ! it was like^-like — ” 

“ Like a big^kayak ? ” remarked some one. 

“No, no. Far, far- bigger,” said the magician, 
making an imbecile attempt to indicate inconceiv- 
able size by waving arms and outspread fingers; 
“ it was — as big — as — as — ” 

“ A whale ? ” suggested Squat-nose. 

“ Bigger^-BiGGER ! ” said Aglootook, with a 
lost look in his eyes. “You could stuff twenty 
igloes into it; and there were three great poles 
rising out of it as thick as — as -me, with other 
poles across them, low down and high up, and 
walrus-lines hanging about in all directions, some 
as thick as my wrist, others as thin as my finger, 
and strange igloes inside of it — not of snow, but of 
wood — with all kinds of things you could think of 
in there; and things that — that — you could not 


334 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


think of even if you were to try — that nobody ever 
thought of since the world heg&n-^-wonderful J ” 

This seemed to fairly take away the- breath of 
the audience, for they could-only glare and remain 
dumb. For a few moments they breathed hard, 
then Squat-nose said in a deep whisper — 

“ Go on.” 

Aglootook did go on, and kept going on so long 
that his audience were forced to go off and assuage 
the pangs of hunger which prolonged abstinence 
and mental excitement at last rendered^unendur- 
able. But no sooner was appetite appeased than 
the magician and his hearers returned to the 
subject with redoubled energy. 

“ Is it very, very far away ? ” asked Aglootook’s 
wife, with a sigh, when he explained to her the 
wonders of the mirror. 

“ Yes, a long, long way, and some of the ice is 
very rough for the dogs.” 

“Not too far for some of us to go and^ return 
before the open water ?” Squat-nose ventured to 
hope. 

“Plenty of time,” returned Aglootook, with a 
patronising smile. “ In fact I advised Cheenbuk 
to start away back as fast as possible with many 
sledges, so that my woman will see it with her own 
eyes.” 

“ And me too ? ” exclaimed the sister, bringing 
her palms together with a smack. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 335 

“ And you too. I advised Cheenbuk to take the 
whole tribe there to stay till the time of open 
water, and he agreed. Cheenbuk is a wise young 
man : he always- takes my advice.” 

The subject of this eulogium was meanwhile 
giving a graphic and much more, truthful account 
of the expedition to Adolay, Mangivik, his mother, 
and a select circle of friends; yet, although he 
did his-best, like Aglootook, to convey an adequate 
impression of what they had seen, we make bold 
to say that the utmost-power of language in the 
one and of! imagination in the other failed te fill 
the minds -of those unsophisticated natives with 
a just'Conception of the- truth. 

But they did succeed in filling most of their 
hearts with an unconquerable desire to go and 
see for themselves, so that no difficulty was ex- 
perienced in persuading the whole^tribe — men, 
women, children, and dogs— to consent to a^general 
migration. 

Even Anteek held his court that night in the 
tent of old Uleeta. 

Since the death of Gartok Anteek had shown 
muchvsympathy with that poor old woman. Ill- 
natured people (for there are- such in Eskimo- 
land) said that sympathy with young Uleeta had 
something to do with his frequent- visits to the 
tent. Well, and why jiot? The sympathy was 
not the less sincere that it was extended to both. 


336 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Anyhow, a large circle of juvenile admirers of 
both sexes assembled under the snow roof to hear 
the young lecturer, and we are inclined to think 
that his discourse was quite as instructive and 
interesting as the narratives of his seniors. He 
did not exaggerate anything, for Anteek was 
essentially truthful in spirit. Nothing would 
induce him to lie or to give a false impression if 
he could help it, but the vivid play of his fancy 
and the sparkling flow of his young imagination 
were such that he kept his audience in a constant 
ripple of amusement and fever of^anticipation. 
He was particularly strong on Aglootook, and 
whatever that wily magician gained in the 
esteem of the adults, he certainly lost among the 
juveniles. 

So eager were the Eskimos to see the wonderful 
sights that had been described to them, that they 
at once set about preparation for- departure. On 
the second day after the return of the exploring 
party the entire village, having previously hidden 
away in a secure place the things already obtained 
from the ship, mounted their sledges and com- 
menced theirs journey amid much noise and glee 
in the direction of what was to them the far east. 

It is needless, and would be tedious, to carry the 
patient reader a second time over the same ground. 
Suffice it to say that when they reached the spot, 
and were introduced to the white man’s “big” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


337 


kayak, they felt disposed to echo the words of the 
Queen of Sheba, and exclaim that half had not 
been told them — not even although that huge 
humbug Aglootook had told them a great deal 
too -much ! 

New circumstances are apt to engender new 
conditions in savage as well as civilised life. It is 
scarcely^credible what an amount of hitherto latent 
vanity was-evoked by that .mirror in the cabin, and 
that too in the most- unlikely characters. Man- 
givik, for instance, spent much of his time the first 
few days in admiring his -grey locks in the glass. 
And old Uleeta, although one of the plainest of the 
tribe, seemed never to tire of looking at -herself. 
Squat-nose, also, was prone to stand in front of 
that mirror, making hideous -faces at himself and 
laughing-violently; but there is -reason to-believe 
that it was not> vanity which influenced him so 
much as a philosophical desire to -ascertain the 
cause of his own -ugliness ! Aglootook likewise 
wasted much of his valuable- time- before it. 

A new sense of shame was by this means de- 
veloped among these,. natives, as well as the power 
to blush; because after people had been inter- 
rupted frequently in this act of* self-admiration, 
they were- laughed at, and the constant recurrence 
of this laughter aroused a feeling of indignation, 
at the same time a tendency to hop away and 
pretend interest in other things ! Squat-nose 

Y 


338 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


never did this. All his actions were open as 
the day — of course we mean th or summer day, — 
and he would sometimes invite anr intruder to 
come and have a look at his reflection, as if it 
were a treat. Hence our opinion of his motive. 

Not so thei magician. The very way he stood, 
and moved about, and- frowned at his double, 
betrayed his state of unind, while the sensitive 
way in which he started off to gaze out at the 
stern windows or have a look at the swinging 
barometer showed his feeling of guilt when caught 
in the act. Anteek soon found this out, and was 
wont to lie imwait so as to catch him in the act 
suddenly and with exasperating frequency. 

After the first excitement ok arrival was over, 
the Eskimos built igloes on the shore and settled 
down to dismantle the vessel and take possession 
of her- stores, and of all that could be of use 
to them. They built an elongated oval igloe on 
the shore as a store to receive the lighter and, 
as they esteemed them, more -valuable articles. 
Among these were included all the axes, hoop- 
iron, and other pieces of manageable- metal that 
could be easily carried. There were also numbers 
of tin cans, iron pots, cups, glass tumblers, earthen- 
ware plates, and other things of the kind, which 
were esteemed a most valuable, possession by people 
whose ordinary domestic furniture consisted chiefly 
of sealskin bowls and shallow^stone dishes. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 339 

During the few days that followed, the whole 
colony of men, women, and children were busily 
occupied in running between the ship and the big 
store with loads proportioned to their strength, 
and with- joviality out of alL proportion to their 
size,- for it must he borne in mind that these 
children of the-dce had discovered not only a mine 
of inconceivable -wealth, but a mine, so to speak, 
of inexhaustible and ever -recurringjistonishments, 
which elevated their eyebrows continually to the 
roots of their hair, and bade fair to fix them there 
for ever ! 

Perplexities were also among the -variations of 
entertainment to which they were- frequently 
treated. Sometimes these were more or less 
cleared up after the assembled. wit and wisdom 
of the community had frowned and. bitten their 
nails over them for -several hours. Others were 
of a nature which it passed the wit of man — 
Eskimo man at least — to-unravel. A few of these, 
like the watch, had some light thrown on them 
by Nazinred, who had either seen something like 
them in use among the fur-traders, or whose 
sagacity led him to make a shrewd occasional 
guess. 

One^ object, however, ^defied the ^brain-power 
alike of- Indian andJEskimo; and no wonder, for 
it was a woodemleg, discovered by Anteek in what 
must have been the doctor’s cabin — or a cabin 


340 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


which had been used for doctor’s stuff and 
material. Like letters of the alphabet given in 
confusion for the purpose of being formed into 
words, this leg puzzled investigators because of 
their inevitable tendency to lead off on a wrong 
scent by assuming that the leg part was the 
handle of the instrument, and the part for the 
reception of the thigh a — a — something for — for 
— doing, they couldn’t tell' what ! 

Sitting round the stone lamp after supper, some 
of them passed the mysterious ^object from hand 
to hand, and commented on it freely. The leg was 
quite new, so that there were no marks of any 
kind about it to afford a -clew to its use. 

Probably it had been made by the- ship’s car- 
penter for some unfortunate member of the crew 
who had come by an accident, and died before he 
could avail himself of it. 

Suddenly the magician exclaimed — “ I w know ! 
I always knew that L-would know, if I only 
thought hard enough. It is a-club for fighting 
with. When the white men go to war they 
always use these things.” 

Grasping it in both hands, he swung it round 
his head, and made as. though he would knock 
Oolalik down with it, causing that young Eskimo 
to shrink back in feigned alarm. 

“ That may be. so,” said Cheenbuk, with serious 
gravity. “ I wonder we did not think of it before.” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


341 


“But if so,” objected Nazinred, who always took 
things seriously, “ what is the use of the hollow in 
its head, and for what are these- lines and ties 
fixed about it ? ” 

“ Don’t you. see ? ” said Cheenbuk, with in- 
creased-, seriousness, “ after knocking your enemy 
down with it you pour his-blood into the hollow 
till it is full, let it- freeze, and then tie it up 
to keep it safe, so that you can carry it home 
to let your wife .see what you have done.” 

The usual quiet glance at. Anteek had such an 
effect on that youth that he would have certainly 
exploded had he not been struck by an -idea which 
displaced all tendency to laugh. 

“ I know,” he cried eagerly. “ You ’re all wrong ; 
it is ar hat ! ” 

So saying, he seized the leg out of the magician’s 
hand and thrust it on his. head with the toe 
pointing upwards. 

There was a tendency ta approve of this solu- 
tion, and the boy, tying two of the straps under 
his chin, sprang up, in the pride of his- discovery. 
But his pride had a*~fall, for the leap, thrust the 
leg through the snow roof of the hut, and the 
novel head-dress was wrenched off as he staggered 
back into Cheenbuk’s arms. 

Despite this mishap, it was^ received by most 
of those present as a probable^ explanation of the 
difficulty, and afterwards Anteek went proudly 


342 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


about wearing the wooden leg on his head. The 
style of cap proved rather troublesome, however, 
when he was engaged in his researches between 
decks, for more than once, forgetting to stoop low, 
he was brought up with an unpleasant jerk. 

In a forest, as Nazinred ^ suggested, the high 
crest might have been inconvenient, but out on the 
floes the unencumbered immensity of the Arctic 
sky afforded the boy room to swagger to his 
heart’s content. 

Another discovery of great- interest was the 
carpenter’s cabin. Unlike most of the other 
cabins, the door of this one was locked, and the 
key gone, though if it had been there no one 
would have guessed itsvuse. Peeping in through 
a crack, however, Cheenbuk saw so many desirable 
things that he made short work of the obstruction 
by plunging his-, weight against it. The door 
went down with a crash, and the Eskimo on the 
top of it. The sight that met his -gaze amply 
repaid^ him, however, for there were collected 
in symmetrical array on the walls, saws, chisels, 
gimlets, gouges, bradawls, etc., while on a shelf 
lay planes, mallets, hammers, nails, augers — in 
short, every— variety of boring, hammering, and 
cutting-implement that can be Imagined. 

An hour after the discovery of that cabin, 
there was not a man or boy in the tribe who was 
not going- about with , cut fingers, more or^ less. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


343 


Experience, however, very soon, taught them 
caution. 

And here again the superior -knowledge of 
Nazinred came in usefully. Like most Indians, 
he was a man o£ observation. He had seen the 
fur-traders in their _ workshops, and had noted 
thenv tools. Taking up a hand-saw he" seized a 
piece of stick, and, although not an expert, sawed 
a lump-off the end of it in a few seconds. * As this 
would probably have cost an- Eskimo full half an 
hour to. accomplish with his blunt, knives, they 
were suitably -impressed, and Cheenbuk, seizing 
the saw, forthwith attempted to-cut off the end of 
a rod of iron — with what effect it is scarcely 
necessary to-explain. 

In the course of a few days the* quantity of 
material brought on shore was so^great that it 
was found necessary to begin a^-second storehouse. 
While most of the natives were engaged on this, 
Cheenbuk and the Indian continued their re- 
searches in the ship, for a vast part of its deep 
hold still remained i unexplored, owing partly to 
the slowness of the investigation in consequence 
of the frequent bursts oh amazement and "admira- 
tion, as well as the numerous discussions that 
ensued — all of which required" time. 

While going more minutely into the contents 
of the cabin, they came, among other things, on 
a variety of charts and books. 


344 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ Have you ever seen tilings like, tliese ? ” asked 
Cheenbuk in a tone of-veneration, based on tbe 
belief that the Indian had seen nearly^everything 
the world .contained. 

“ Never— except that/’ he replied, pointing to a 
log-book ; “ the traders use. things like that. They 
open them and make marks in them.” 

Cheenbuk immediately opened the book in 
question and found marks^plenty of them ; but 
of course could make- nothing of them, even after 
turning them sideways and- upside-down. As 
the Indian was equally . incapable, they returned 
the whole into the locker in which they had 
found them, intending to carry them on shore 
when the new store should be ready for the 
reception of goods. 

This waa unfortunate, in some- respects, as the 
next chapter will show. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


345 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

CURIOSITY AND PRESUMPTION FOLLOWED BY CATASTROPHE. 

Most of the able-bodied men and a few of the 
youngsters set off next day to obtain a supply of 
walrus, seal, and musk-ox flesh — or anything else 
that happened to be procurable. 

Mrs. Mangivik and other ladies were left to look 
after the camp and prepare for the return of the 
men, strict orders being left that no one should 
go on board the ship on any pretext whatever. 

Bukstrickorders are^not always, obeyed. There 
was one little, boy in that community — not a bad 
boy, but a precocious and very ambitious boy — 
who chanced not to ' hear the orders given. 
Whether he was partially deaf, or purposely did 
not hear the orders, we cannot say. This little 
boy’s chief weakness was a. desire to mimic. 
Having admired the wooden leg on Anteek’s head, 
and having observed where Anteek had stowed 
the leg away before, setting off with the hunters, 
he possessed himself of it,- put it on his head, 
and strutted about the camp to the admiration 


346 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


and envy-of all his compeers ; for he was a very 
daring and domineering boy, although- small. His 
name was Doocheek. 

Another of Doocheek’s weaknesses was a desire 
to ape the men, and think himself a man in 
consequence. This, coupled with ar consuming 
curiosity in regard to Nazinred’s -tobacco-pipe, 
caused him tQ observe — for he was remarkably 
observant— that the Indian had, for the first time 
since he resided among them, gone off on an 
expedition and left his^ pipe -behind him— ac- 
cidentally, no doubt. Doocheek watched his 
opportunity and secured the fire-bag which con- 
tained the smoking implements. Stolen waters 
are sweet, even in cold climates where all the 
waters freeze, and the boy cast about for a 
secluded place in which he might enjoy the sweet- 
ness of his pipe to the full without fear of inter- 
ruption. A blue-cavern in an iceberg might do, 
but the atmosphere in such caves was rather cold. 
Under the cliffs there were many sheltered places, 
but the juvenile members of the community were 
playing there, and would certainly intrude. Out 
on the floes was an exposed place — to vision as 
well as to wind and drift. What was- left to him, 
then,Hbut the-ship ? 

Hurrying through the village in order to carry 
out his plans, the boy encountered Mrs. Mangivik 
at the entranced her hut. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


347 


“Where are you. going, Doocheek?” demanded 
the woman, with a look of. suspicion born of 
frequent experience. 

With that spirit of- ambiguous contradiction 
which would seem to prevail among the youth of 
alb nations, Doocheek replied, “ Nowhere.” 

It is interesting to observe how that remarkable 
answer seems to- satisfy inquirers, im nine cases 
out of ten, everywhere ! At all events Mrs. Man- 
givik smiled as if she were- satisfied, and re-entered 
her hut, where Nootka was engaged in conversation 
with Adolay, while she taught her how to make 
Eskimo boots. 

“ Did not Cheenbuk forbid- every one to go 
near the big kayak while the men were away?” 
demanded the woman. 

“ Yes he did,” answered Nootka, without raising 
her eyes. — “ Now look here, Ad — dolay. You turn 
the toe up this way, and the heel down that way, 
and shove your needle in so, and then — ” 

“ I am very sure,” interrupted Mrs. Mangivik, 
“ that little -Doocheek has gone.. down there. 
There’s not another little boy in the tribe but 
himself would-dare to do it.” 

“He will lose- some of his-skin if he -does,” said 
Nootka quietly — referring not to any habit of 
the Eskimos to flay bad boys alive, but to their 
tendency to punish the refractory in a way that 
was apt to.ruffle the cuticle. 


348 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Quite indifferent to all such prospects in store 
for him, the boy hurried on until he reached the 
foot of the snow staircase. It had been repaired 
by that time, and the deck was easily- gained. 
Descending to a part of the interior which was 
rather dark-^-for the boy was aware that his deeds 
were evil-^he sat down on a locker and opened 
his fire-bag. 

Eskimos are not quite- free from superstition. 
Doocheek had plenty of natural -courage, but he 
was apt to quail before the- supernatural. Apart 
from the conscience, which even in Arctic bosoms 
tends to produce - cowardice, the -strange sur- 
roundings of the place — the deep'shadows, merging 
into absolute obscurity, and the feeling of mystery 
that attached to-cverything connected with the 
vessel — all had tho effect of rendering Doocheek’s 
enjoyment somewhat mixed. To look at him 
as he sat there, glaring nervously on all sides, 
one would have been tempted to say that his was 
what might be called aTearful joy. If a rat or a 
mouse had scurried past him at that moment he 
would have fled precipitately, but no rat or mouse 
moved. Probably they were all frozen, and he 
had the place entirely to himself— ^too much to 
himself. He began at that point to wish that he 
had brought another little boy, or even a girl, 
with him, to keep up his^ courage and share in 
his triumphant wickedness. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 849 

However, as nothing happened, his courage 
began to return, and he emptied the contents of 
the bag on the locker. He knew, exactly what to 
do, for many a time had ha watched the Indian 
fill his .pipe and produce fire with flint, steel, and 
tinder. Beginning with the. pipe, he filled it, and 
then proceeded to strike a -light. Of course he 
found this much more- difficult than he had 
expected. It seemed so easy in the Indian’s hands 
— it was so very difficult in his ! After skinning 
his knuckles, however*- chipping his thumb-nail, 
and knocking the flint out of his hand several 
times, he succeeded in making the right stroke, 
and a shower of sparks ~ rewarded his persever- 
ance. 

This was .charming. The place was so dark that 
the sparks, seemed as. large and bright as stars, 
while the darkness that followed was deeper by 
contrast. Forgetting the pipe and tobacco in this 
new-found joy, Doocheek kept pelting away at the 
flint, sending showers of sparks past his knees, and 
some of them were so large that they even fell 
upon the deck before -going out. 

But an abrupt stop was put to his- amusement. 
Whether it was that something or jother in the sides 
of the ship had given way, or the energetic action 
of the boy had -.shaken some fastening loose, we 
cannot say, but just as he was in the act of raising 
his hand for another feu-de-joie, a shelf over his 


350 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


head gave way, and a perfect avalanche of pots, 
pans, and noisy tin articles came down with a 
hideous crash on the deck ! 

To leap from the locker like a bomb-shell, and 
go straight up the hatchway like a rocket, was 
only natural. Doocheek did that as far as was 
compatible with flesh and blood. He could not 
remember afterwards by what process he reached 
the ice and found himself on the -skirts of the 
village. But at that point his self-control returned, 1 
and he sauntered home^flushed, it is- true, and a 
little winded, yet with the nonchalant air of a man 
who had just stepped out to “ have a look at the 
weather.” His conscience was rather -troubled, it 
is true, when he thought of the fire-bag and the 
pipe^etc.^ left-behind, but nothing would have 
induced him to return for these at that time. 

Towards evening the walrus hunters returned. 
They had been very successful. The sledges were 
loaded up with the meat of several large animals, 
so that there was a prospect of unlimited feasting 
for more than a week to come. 

“ Now, old - woman,” said Cheenbuk with cheery 
irreverence to his mother, and with that good- 
natured familiarity which is often- engendered by 
good fortune, “ stir up the lamps and get ready the 
marrow-bones !” 

Regardless of lamps and marrow-bones, all the 
children of the community, even to the smallest 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 351 

babes, were -sucking- raw -blubber as children in 
less favoured lands suckrlollipops. 

“ Had you to go far ? ” asked Adolay. 

“ Not far. W e found them all close by, and would 
have been back sooner, but some of them fought 
hard and took up much time,” answered Cheen- 
buk, who awaited the cooking process ; for since 
he h ad-discovered the Indian girl’s- disgust -at raw 
meat, he had become a total abstainer on the point. 

“And,” he added, beginning to pull off his 
boots, “if your father had not been there with 
the- spouter we should have been out on the 
floes fightings still, for some of the walruses were 
savage, and hard to kill.” 

After supper, as a matter of course, Nazinred 
looked round with an air of benign satisfaction 
on his fine face. 

“Is my- fire-bag -behind you, Adolay ?” he asked 
in a low voice. 

Doocheek was.^present and heard the question, 
but of course did not -understand it, as it was put 
in the -Dogrib tongue. The search, however, which 
immediately began induced him to retire promptly 
and ^absent himself from home for the time being. 

“ It is not -here, father.” 

A more careful search was made, then a most 
careful one, but no fire-bag was to be found. 

“Perhaps Nootka took it to her sleeping-place 
to keep it safe,” suggested old Mangivik. 


352 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


No; Nootka had seemno thing of it, and Nootka 
was not a little annoyed when, in -spite of her 
assertion, a. search was made in her boudoir, and 
not a little triumphant when the search proved 
fruitless. 

“Surely no. one has- taken it away,” said Cheen- 
buk, looking round with an expression that would 
have sunk-Doocheek through the snow into the 
earth if he had been there. 

“If any one has taken it away,” said Aglootook, 
with a profundity of meaning in his tone that was 
meant to paralyse the guilty, and serve as a per- 
manent caution to the innocent, “ something awful 
will happen. I don’t say^vhat, but somethings so 
it will be as well to ^confess, for I’m sure to 'find 
it out — if not soon, then in a- long time.” 

For some moments after this there was dead 
silence, but nobody confessed, and they all looked 
at each other as if they expected some one to go 
off like a cannon shot through the roof suddenly, 
and were somewhat disappointed that no one did. 

By degrees they began to breathe more freely, 
and at last some went out to seek repose in their 
own huts, while the inmates of Mangivik’s dwelling 
began to turn in for the night. Nootka and Adolay 
retired to the boudoir, and the men, drawing bear 
or seal skins over them, lay down, each where he 
had feasted. 

Nazinred alone remained sitting up, the^victim 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


353 


off unsatisfied -craving. North American Indians 
are noted-for their power to conceal their feelings, 
and Nazinred was not an. exception to the rule, 
for no .sign did he betray of the longing desire for 
a .pipe that consumed him. Only a tendency to 
silence, and a deeper solemnity than usual, seemed 
to indicate that all was not as he would wish. 

At last he lay down. About an hour afterwards, 
finding that he could not sleep, he arose, cast an 
envious glance at the peaceful slumberers around 
him, crept through the entrance tunnel, and stood 
erect outside, with a gaze of subdued inquiry at 
the starry host overhead. Bringing his eyes slowly 
down to the things of earth, his gaze changed 
suddenly into one of-wild alarm. 

The cause- was ^obvious enough. When Doo- 
cheek^fled from the avalanche of pots and tins, 
as before mentioned, he failed to -observe that 
one of the -sparks, which had filled him with 
delight, had remained nestling and alive in a mass 
of -cotton- waste, or some such rubbish, lying on the 
lower deck. With the tendency of sparks to in- 
crease and -propagate their species, this particular 
one soon had a large and vigorous, family of little 
sparks- around it. A gentle puff of wind made 
these little ones^ lively, and induced them, after 
the manner off little ones everywhere, to scatter 
on exploring rambles. Like juveniles, too, their 
food at first was simple,— a few more mouthfuls of 
z 


354 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


waste and a bit of rope here and there; hence 
their progress was slow and quiet. But time and 
increasing strength soon made them impatient 
of such light food. Ere long they created a 
draught of them own, and were blown into a 
flame. Then some of them laid hold of some 
bedding, while others seized upon a bulkhead, 
and, gathering courage from success, they finally 
enveloped the %vveen -decks in a mass of flame. 

It was at this point in the business that the 
eyes of Nazinred beheld a column of smoke 
rising from the after-companion hatch which 
threw his own smoking powers entirely into the 
shade, and induced him to utter an- unreasoning 
war-whoop that roused the Eskimo tribe as if by 
a shock of. electricity. 

The entire population rushed out like one man. 
They saw the smoke, with a lurid flame licking 
out here and there amid the blackness, and seeing 
the Indian flying down the beach as if he were 
witch-possessed — as. indeed he was — they uttered 
a united howl, and made off in the same direction. 

Fire brigades, of course, are unknown among 
the Eskimos, but the way in which Cheenbuk 
improvised and organised an Arctic brigade might 
have roused the envy even of the London force ! 

Great men are always with us, though not 
always recognised. It requires specially great 
occasions to draw them forth, and make them 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 355 

visible even to. themselves. Many a time in former 
years had Cheenbuk spilt water on the cooking 
lamp and put it out. Water at once occurred to 
his mind in connection with the tremendous lamp 
that was now-fairly alight. But water was at that 
time locked up -seven or eight feet under the solid 
ice. The active mind of the Eskimo naturally 
reverted to - snow ere yet he had j covered the dis- 
tance between ship and shore. We say naturally, 
because he was quite aware that snow also 
extinguished lamps. 

Cutting a huge block of snow with his bone 
knife fro#i the beaten plain, ho shouted in a voice 
of thunder : “ Hi Devery one. Look at me ! Do 
as I do ! ” 

He shouldered the- mass, sprang up the snow 
stair, and plunged down the smoking hatchway. 

Cheenbuk and Oolalik, who were as- quick to 
obey as to command— perhaps quicker — followed 
their-leader’s example. Others followed suit ac- 
cording to their respective natures and capacities. 
Anteek, bearing a mass nearly as big as himself, 
also dashed -below in wild excitement. Some of 
the young men tumbled their burdens of snow 
down the smoking, hole and went back for more. 
Even old Mangivik did that as fast as his rheumatic 
limbs would let him. Raventik,, reckless as usual, 
sprang down with a mighty., lump, but finding the 
atmosphere below^uncongenial, hurled it towards 


356 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


his predecessors, and sprang up again for a fresh 
supply, watering at the eyes and choking. The 
poor invalid Ondikik walked as hard as his fast- 
failing strength would permit. The women even, 
led by the thoroughly roused Cowlik, bore their 
share in the work. The children took prompt 
advantage of the occasion to enjoy by far the 
wildest game that had ever yet been suggested to 
their imaginations, and Aglootook the magician, 
seeing that something had come at last to verify 
his predictions, stood by the capstan and appointed 
himself to the command of the .upper deck brigade, 
while the others were battling with the flames 
below. 

The battle was indeed a-tough one ; for the fire 
Lad got a firm hold, not only of the materials 
already mentioned, but also of a mass of canvas 
and cordage in what must have been the sail- 
maker’s department, and the smoke was growing 
so dense that it was becoming difficult for the 
firemen to breathe. 

“Here! Nazinred, Oolalik, throw the biggest 
lumps you can lift over there!' 

Cheenbuk pointed to what seemed a red-hot 
spot in the dense smoke before them, and set 
them the example by heaving a gigantic-mass at 
the same place. 

A tremendous.^ hiss came forth as the^snow was 
converted intosteam, but there was no abatement 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 357 

in the j-oar of the devouring element as it licked 
up everything around it, making the iron bolts 
red, and, though not themselves- combustible, 
assistants to^combustion. 

“ More- snow, Anteek ! more snow ! ” gasped 
Cheenbuk. 

The boy, with a mass of half-melted snow still 
in his hand, sprang up the ladder, scarce knowing 
what he did, and appeared on deck, blackened and 
wildly- dishevelled. Aglootook was- close to the 
opening at the moment, giving- sententious direc- 
tions to some little boys. Anteek hurled the 
snow-mass full at his face with the- force of an 
ardent nature, intensified by- contempt, and sent 
him- sprawling among the. children as he leaped 
over the side to carry out his orders. 

But no energy on the part of Cheenbuk and his 
comrades, no- efforts on the part of their assist- 
ants, strong or feeble, could- avert that ship’s 
doonv Ere long the smoke and heat between 
decks became unbearable, and drove the gallant 
leaders back, inch by inch, foot by foot, until they 
were compelled to take-refuge on the upper deck, 
when nothing more could be done to arrest the 
progress of the flames. They retired therefore to 
the quarter-deck, where the whole of the Eskimos 
— men, women, and children — assembled to look 
on at the - destruction which they could not now 
prevent. 


358 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“This is a greats loss,” observed Cheenbuk 
regretfully, as be sat on the after-rail, mopping 
the perspiration off bis blackened face with his 
sleeve. 

“It might have been a. greater loss,” said 
Nazinred, glancing towards the well-filled store- 
houses on shore. 

“ That is true ; but just think of what a supply 
of wood for- spears and sledges ! It would have 
been enough to last the lives of our children’s 
children, if not longer.” 

“Did I not tell you that -something would 
happen ? ” said Aglootook, coming forward at that 
moment. 

“ Yes, and something did happen,” said old 
Mangivik, “ though I could not- see how it 
happened, for the- smoke. Did not a lump of 
snow fly in your face and knock you over among 
the children ? ” 

The magician ignored the question altogether, 
and, turning to Cheenbuk, asked if he thought 
there was yet any chance of -saving the ship. 

“Not unless you- manage to send some of your 
magic down and stop the fire.” 

“ That is not possible,” returned the other, with 
a wisely grave look. “ I can do much, but I 
cannot do that.” 

As he spoke, a fresh roar of the fire up the 
hatchway attracted attention. Gathering'strength, 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


359 


it burst up in a bright^ flame, showing that the 
quarter-deck could not long remain a place of 
security. 

Suddenly Nazinred showed signs of- excitement 
which were very, unusual in him. Fighting the 
walrus or bear, or-battling with the fire, had never 
produced such an. expression as crossed his face, 
while he cast a hasty glance round on the women 
and children, whose forms were by that time lit up 
by the dull red-glow that issued from the column 
of smoke. 

“ Cheenbuk,” he said in a low voice, “ the black 
stuff that I put in my_ spouter is kept by traders 
in round things — I forget the name. If there is 
one of these round things here, and it catches fire, 
we shall, every, one of us, with the ship, be sent 
up- to the-stars !” 

The remark was meant to reach the ear of the 
leader alone, but several of those around- heard it, 
and a wild - rush was instantly made for the 
snow stair, amid, feminine and juvenile shrieks. 
Aglootook incontinently hurled himself over the 
side, and fell on his hands and knees on the ice, 
where an opportune snow-drift saved him. Most of 
the party ran or leaped out of the threatened danger. 

“ Does not my father think that we should- go ? ” 
asked Cheenbuk, who began to feel uneasy as a fresh 
burst of flame set fire to tha canvas awning, and 
made the place they -stood on unpleasantly hot. 


360 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ Yes, my son, he does,” replied Nazinred ; “ but 
it does notdbecome men to-run from danger.” 

So saying he began to move as if in a funeral 
procession, closely followed by Cheenbuk, Oolalik, 
and old Mangivik. 

As they reached the head of the staircase some- 
thing like an explosion occurred, for the deck was 
partially burst up by the heat. The three Eskimos, 
who did not think their dignity affected by haste, 
leaped down the stair in two bounds, but Nazinred 
did not alter his walk in the least. Step by step 
he descended deliberately, and walked in stolid 
solemnity to the spot on which the community 
had assembled as a place of safety. 

They did not speak much after that, for the 
sight was too thrilling and too novel to admit of 
conversation. Shouts and exclamations alone 
broke forth at intervals. 

The danger to which they had been- exposed 
while on the quarter-deck became more apparent 
when a clear bright flame at length shot -upwards, 
and, catching some of the ropes, ran along and 
aloft in all directions. 

Hitherto the fire had been much smothered by 
its own smoke and the want of air below, but now 
that it had fairly burst its bonds and got headway, 
it showed itself in its true character as a fierce and 
insatiable devourer of all that came in its way. 

Catching hold of the awning over the deck, it 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 361 

swept fore and aft like a billow, creating such heat 
that the spectators were forced to- retreat to a still 
safer distance. From the awning it licked round 
the masts, climbed them, caught the ropes and flew 
up them, sweeping out upon the yards to their 
extreme ends, so that, in a few minutes, the ship 
was ablaze from hold to truck, and stem to stern. 

Then the . event which Nazinred had referred 
to ..occurred. The flames- reached the powder 
magazine. It exploded, and the terrified natives 
yelled their feelings, while the entire structure 
went up into the -heavens with a roar to which 
the loudest- thunder could not compare, and a 
sheet of intense light that almost blinded them. 

The explosion- blew out every fork of flame, 
great and small, and left an ^appalling blackness 
by contrast, while myriads of red-hot fragments 
fell in a shower on the ice, and rebounded from 
it, like evil spirits dancing around the tremendous 
wreck that they had' caused. 

Fortunately the Eskimos were beyond the range 
of the- fiery -shower. When they ventured, with 
awe-stricken looks, to approach the scene of the 
catastrophe, only a yawning cavern in the floe 
remained to •'tell of the stately vessel that had thus 
ended her final voyage. 


362 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


CHAPTER XXX. 

A DECLARATION, AN INTERRUPTION, AND A GREAT FIGHT. 

The loss which the Eskimos sustained in the 
destruction of the ship was in one sense consider- 
able, for the woodwork about her would have been 
of immense -value to them ; nevertheless their 
gains in what had already been stored were very 
great, so that they were able to regard their 
losses with philosophic composure. 

The weeks that followed — weeks of ever increas- 
ing light and warmth— were spent in examining 
and sorting their material into packages suitable 
for transport on fledges to their summer quarters 
at Waruskeek. 

And here again the knowledge possessed by 
Nazinred of the habits and implements of the 
white men was of great service. Adolay also helped 
to instruct, for when among the sailmaker’s tools 
they found a number of the^finer sort of- needles 
and threads, as well as a few feminine thimbles, 
so to speak, she was able to show the --women at 
once how to use them, and thus saved them from 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 363 

the trouble of puzzling out the matter for them- 
selves. 

“ What is this ? ” asked Anteek of Nazinred 
one day, presenting a file which he had just 
picked up. 

“ That is a thing,” replied the Indian, who, being 
ignorant of the names of most tools, got over the 
difficulty by calling all objects "things” — "that is 
a thing made for cutting iron with; rubbing it 
down and cutting it- short. It cuts things that 
are too hard for a. knife.” 

" I think,”, returned the boy, regarding it atten- 
tively, " we might try it on- Aglootook’s nose. That 
wants cutting short, and rubbing, down too, for it 
seems verydiard to. look at it.” 

Nazinred did not smile. He was- slow to under- 
stand a-joke. Perhaps he thought it a poor one, 
but Cheenbuk- appreciated it, and met it with the 
suggestion that an- axe might be more effective. 

They were gravely debating this point in front of 
the snow stores, when Ondikik came up and asked 
when it was likely that a start would be made 
for home, as he styled their old winter village. 

“ Go and ask Mangivik. When he gives the 
order I ’rmready,” said Cheenbuk. 

“ Don’t say a word to- Aglootook,” said Anteek, 
as the young man turned to go ; " he will be sure 
to say that something will happen if you do.” 

"Yes, and as- something always does happen” 


364 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


remarked Cheenbuk, “he’s sure to be right, the 
moosquat.” 

“Moo-squat” seemed to be used as a term of 
extreme contempt ; it may not therefore be in- 
correct to translate it— “ humbug ! ” 

On being consulted, old Mangivik, who was 
generally credited with being weather-wise and 
intelligent, gave it as his opinion that, as the 
things from the white man’s kayak were all ready 
packed on the sledges, and the weather was very 
warm, and the days were growing long, and the ice 
and snow were melting fast, the- sooner they set 
out the better. 

Aglootook coincided with that opinion, because 
he had been led to the same conclusion some days 
before, chiefly in consequence of profound thought 
during the dark hours of night. “ And if we don’t 
start off now,” he added at the end of a-portentous 
oration, “ no one can tell what will happen — some- 
thing fearful, I know, though of course it is not 
possible to say what.” 

As no one felt disposed to object, the prepara- 
tions were hurried forward, and, soon after, the 
whole tribe went off on the return journey, leaving 
behind them a black and yawning gulf in the Arctic 
solitude where so lately a noble ship had been. 

Arrived at the old village, these lively and 
energetic nomads occupied themselves during the 
brief remainder of winter and the early spring in 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


365 


securely hiding the goods of which they had become 
possessed, excepting such light portions as they 
meant to carry along with them to their summer 
retreat. Among these were a number of bows, 
spears, and arrows made from the wood of the 
burnt vessel, with cleverly adapted iron heads, 
filed to fine sharp points, and burnished until they 
glittered in the light. Of knives and axes there 
were also- sufficient to equip .most of the young 
m$m and thosfr for whom there were none made 
toCthemselves pretty good- knives out of pieces of 
hoop-iron. 

When at last the ocean currents and summer 
heat broke up the solid floes and set the icebergs 
free to resume their majestic southward course, 
our Eskimos put their sledges en cache , got out 
kayaks and oomiaks, and, wielding both the short 
and the long paddle, started off towards the south- 
west, in the direction of Waruskeek — some of the 
tribe, however, with a few of the old people, re- 
maining behind. 

“Now, Adolay, we are going to take you home,” 
said Cheenbuk, the day they started, while walking 
with her towards the^oomiak in which she was to 
take her seat and a paddle. “ Will the Indian girl 
be glad to leave us ? ” 

The faintest possible tinge of red suffused her 
cheek, as she dropped her eyes and- replied — “ She 
will be glad to/get home.” 


366 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ When you have got home, and stayed for a 
time with your people,” returned Cheenbuk, who 
was usually blunt and to-the-point in his conversa- 
tion, “will you come away with me and be my 
woman— -my squaw?” he added, accommodating 
his words to the Indian vocabulary. 

“I cannot -lea va my mother,” answered the 
maiden in a low voice. 

“ That is good,” returned the gallant Eskimo, 
“ but Cheenbuk can leave- his ^mother and his 
father too. If I go and live with the men-of-the- 
woods, will you be my squaw ? ” 

Adolay with downcast eyes gave no answer. 

It is said that silence gives- consent. We are 
ignorant as to Arctic opinion on this point, but 
before light could be thrown on the subject, 
Anteek came rushing round the corner of a 
stranded berg with the exclamation — 

“ Hoi ! Cheenbuk — here you are ! We thought 
you must have got into the teeth of a walrus or 
the arms of a bear ! ” 

Cheenbuk frowned savagely, caught' Anteek by 
his nether garments and the' nape of his neck, 
and, lifting him high above his head, seemed about 
to dash him on the ground. But, instead, he 
replaced him gently on his feet, and, with a 
benignant smile, told him to run down to the 
shore and put his kayak in the water so as to be 
ready for him. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


367 


Anteek, who was obedience personified, hastened 
away at once, rubbing his nether garments, and 
sorely perplexed as to the strange spirit which 
seemed so suddenly to have taken possession of 
tha friend he so ardently idolised. 

It was arranged that ' Nazinred, being unaccus- 
tomed to the Eskimo kayak, should voyage with 
the womendn one of the-oomiaks. To a younger 
brave this might have been regarded as an undig- 
nified-position, but to a man of his years and tried 
experience it was only a -subject for a passing 
smile. But the Indian did not accept the position 
of am idle passenger. Although inexpert in the 
use of the two-bladed paddle and the light kayak, 
he was thoroughly capable of using the women’s 
paddle with the single blade, as it bore much 
resemblance in shape and size to that used in his 
nativa canoe. He therefore quietly assumed the 
post o£ steersman in the oomiak, which contained 
Madam Mangivik, Nootka, the easy-going Cowlik, 
the gentle Rinka, Adolay, and a variety of children 
and babies. The young man Oolalik, in defiance 
of ^immemorial- custom, also took a iseat and a 
paddle -in that oomiak — out of pure hospitality of 
course, and for the sole purpose of keeping their 
guest ^company. Nootka said nothing, but she 
seemed amused as well as pleased at the inno- 
vation. So were the children, for Oolalik was a 
prime favourite with young as well as old. 


368 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Old Uleeta was the captain of another of the 
oomiaks, and it was observed that Aglootook cast 
longing and frequent glances in her direction, 
believing, no doubt, that a place by her side would 
be an easier berth than in his own kayak, with 
nothing but the strength of his own lazy arm to 
urge it on ; but as there was no guest in this case 
to justify the breach of ancient custom on the 
ground of hospitality, he felt that manhood re- 
quired him to stay where he was. 

It was a pretty sight the starting of the little 
flotilla on a brilliant spring morning, with the sea 
as calm as a millpond, fantastic masses of white 
ice floating about in all directions, and mountain- 
ous bergs here and there giving dignity as well 
as variety, by their size and light-green sides and 
deep blue caverns, to a scene which might other- 
wise have been too suggestive o£ wedding-cake. 

Seals, walruses, <- sea-birds, and numerous 
denizens of the deep and air, were sporting about 
in fearless indifference to the-presence of their 
great enemy, man, but these were- unheeded until 
hunger began to affect the Eskimo. Then the war 
began, with its usual result— ‘ the survival of the 
fittest.” 

One day, however, there was a- battle in which 
it came about that the. tables were almost" turned, 
and the survival, as -regards the animals, very 
nearly reversed. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 369 

It happened thus : — 

We have already referred to the -ferocity of the 
walrus when ^attacked. As a^rule, man is the 
assailant. Sometimes, however, the monster of 
the Arctic deep assumes the offensive. On the 
occasion we are about to describe the attack was 
made im force. 

The day had been brilliantly fine. The bergs 
had absolutely duplicated and inverted themselves 
by -reflection, so that the sunlit pinnacles became 
submarine fires, and refraction ^stepped in to 
reverse, and as it were shatter, the floes on the 
horizon, while- three ^mock- suns glowed in the 
heavens at the same time — thus making the beau- 
tiful confusion still more exquisitely confounded. 

“ Walrus !”_ said Cheenbuk, pointing with the 
end of his long paddle in the direction of a large 
berg just ahead of them. 

Nazinred, who was close alongside of him, ceased 
to paddle, and shaded his eyes with his hand. So 
did his crew. The whole flotilla ceased to paddle, 
and skimmed slowly along for some moments in 
dead silence. 

Then Aglootook, in virtue of his office and 
presumption, spoke in a low voice — 

“ Let us pull softly, and speak not at all. There 
are plenty of beasts. Wonders shall be done to- 
day if you attend to what I say.” 

They all acted on his advice, whether they heard 
2a 


370 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


it or not, for Eskimos need no caution to be 
wary and silent when approaching a herd of 
walruses. 

There appeared to be at least a hundred animals 
lying sunning themselves on the various ice-lumps 
into which the floes were broken up. On one 
mass about half a mile off there were some twenty 
rolling about and grunting comfortably to each 
other. Towards these the flotilla slowly drifted, 
for the dipping of the paddles could scarcely be 
seen, and was quite noiseless. By slow degrees 
they drew near, and then the-oomiaks hung back, 
with the exception of that steered by Nazinred, who 
had got his fire-spouter ready, while Oolalik stood 
in the bow, harpoon in hand, and lance ready by 
his side. The women were not expected to take 
part in the action— only to look on, — but all the 
men in kayaks advanced. While these last went 
on towards the main herd, our. Indian . steered 
straight for the ice-cake on which the largest 
number lay, and as they drew near, the extreme 
ugliness of the creatures’ faces and black heads 
became very apparent. 

There was an old bull with tusks not far short 
of three feet long among the herd. Beside him 
was a young bull, which seemed from his wicked 
expression to be screwing up his courage to assault 
the old one. The rest were females and young 
ones of various ages, down to what seemed the 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 37 1 

very last walrus baby. Those that were grown up 
had bristling-moustaches like- porcupine quills on 
their flat- lips, and the young ones had tusks in 
different degrees of development — except the 
baby, whose head resembled an ill-shaped foot- 
ball. 

They did not seem in the least afraid of the 
approaching oomiak. Perhaps they thought it 
a very -dirty piece of -ice covered with rather 
grotesque seals. At all events, although they 
looked at it, they went-on with their mooing and 
rolling about, quite~regardless of it, until Oolalik 
sent his harpoon deep into the side of one of the 
cows. Then indeed there was tremendous roaring 
and- confusion, as the whole herd tumbled off the 
ice raft- into the sea. The splash sent a, cataract 
of spray over the Eskimos ; and no wonder, for the 
old bull was -full sixteen feet long, with barrel- 
bulk equal to a- hogshead. Some of the others 
were not much smaller. 

The harpoon thrown was attached to a short 
line, to the end of which an inflated sealskin was 
fastened for the purpose of forming a drag on the 
animal harpooned, and, by coming to the surface, 
showing its whereabouts. But on this occasion 
the creatures required no such contrivance to 
bring them up, for no sooner were the two bulls 
in their native element than they uttered a horrible 
succession of roars, and made straight for the 


372 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


oomiak. A rip in the side of the skin boat would 
have been fatal, or, if one of the -animals were to 
hook on to it with his tusks, an upset would be 
certain. Oolalik therefore grasped his long lance, 
while Nazinred steered so as to keep the bow 
end-on to the assailants. Another, moment and 
Oolalik dealt the oldest_bull a thrust in the neck 
that sent it back roaring. The cry seemed to be 
a. summons, for answering cries were heard all 
round, and the- walruses were . seen to be con- 
verging towards their savage old chief. Mean- 
while the young bull had reached the right side 
of the oomiak, wher&Cowlik sat with an easy-going 
look on her placid _.face, admiring the scene. 
Nazinred was so intent on keeping the craft right 
that he failed to notice it until its ugly head and 
ponderous tusks rose above the gunwale. But 
Cowlik proved equal to the occasion. The easy- 
going look vanished, and the end of her paddle 
went into the throat of the brute with a thrust so 
vigorous that the boat was driven to one side and 
the tusks missed their mark. At the same 
moment Adolay, who sat close to her, grasped her 
paddle like a double-handed sword, and brought it 
down with surprising force on the creature’s left 
eye. A shot from the fire-spouter followed; the 
ball entered the same eye, reached the brain, and 
the young bull sank to rise no more. 

The Indian reloaded as fast as he could, but 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 373 

not in time for another charge from the old bull, 
which Oolalik met with sustab in the side that 
again turned- him off bellowing. A still younger 
bull, anxious, -perchance, to win its spurs, took 
advantage of the--situation, and made a dash at 
the. opposite side, butNootka sent about two feet 
of heL_paddle down its throat, which induced it 
to-reeonsider its- intentions. 

Just then a loud- report told that the spouter 
was. again to the-front. This time the ball took 
effect on the old bull’s- forehead, and remained 
there. It neither killed nor stunned, though it 
probably-surprised it, for it sheered off permanently, 
and all the rest of the herd went away to sea 
along with it. 

After this unexpected and dangerous encounter 
was over, it was found that several other animals 
were splashing about in a dying state, or fast to 
sealskin buoys which the men in the kayaks had 
managed to . affix to them. One of these was 
closely ^followed up by. Anteek, who had very 
cleverly launched his harpoon. 

Aglootook was also seen to be struggling with 
a buoy, which he was. trying to haul in. 

“Keep off!” he cried in great excitement when 
old Mangivik paddled to his assistance ; “ I have 
lanced itjwice. I need no help. See, the water 
is full ot blood ! ” 

“ That is myJbeast you are fighting,” remarked 


374 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Oolalik, as the oomiak came up. “Look at the 
float : it is mine.” 

The magician looked crestfallen. He had hoped, 
probably, to kill the wounded animal, secure it to 
his kayak, and cast loose the buoy, so that no one 
could claim it. He made the most of the situation, 
however, by asserting stoutly that if he had not 
lanced it well it would certainly have broken 
loose from the buoy. 

When the whole party was assembled on a large 
floe, cutting up and stowing away the meat, some 
of the younger men began to -comment on the 
success of the hunt, and to congratulate themselves 
on the large supply of fresh provisions which they 
had secured. 

“Did I not tell you,” said Aglootook, who 
appeared to be superintending the workers, “ that 
wonders would be done to-day ? ” 

“ You did,” replied Cheenbuk gravely, “ and one 
of the greatest wonders was that you managed to 
lance a walrus ! ” 

“ It was indeed a great .wonder,” returned the 
magician, with a smile of supreme satisfaction, 
“for I was not hunting at all at the time — only 
looking on by way of encouraging the young men. 
It just came in my \Vay and I killed it, easily, in 
passing. If I had been really hunting, then 
indeed,” he added, with solemn emphasis, “you 
would have seen something to y astonish you.” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


375 


“ I have no doubt o f that ! ” remarked Cheenbuk. 
At the same moment Anteek. went off into an 
explosion oh. laughter, which he accounted for by 
pointing at a- baby-walrus which had just put 
its head out of the water with an expression of 
surprise on its innocent face that clearly indicated 
its inability to understand what was going on. 


376 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


CHAPTER XXXI. 

AN EXPEDITION AND A DISAPPOINTMENT. 

A few days later the whole tribe • arrived at 
their summer quarters, and no civilised' family of 
boys and girls ever arrived at their seaside home 
with a more genuine -expression of noisy^ delight 
than that with which those Eskimos took posses- 
sion of the turf-mud-and-stone-built huts of 
Waruskeek. 

It was not only the children who thus let loose 
their glee. The young men and- maidens also 
began to romp round the old dwellings in the 
pure enjoyment of ancient memories and present 
sunshine, while the elders expressed their satisfac- 
tion by looking on with approving^ nods and 
occasional laughter. Even old Mangivik so far 
forgot the dignity of his advanced age as to extend 
his right-toe, when Anteek was. rushing past, and 
trip up that volatile youth, causing him to plunge 
headlong into a bush which happened to grow 
handy for his reception. 

Nazinred alone Tnaintained his dignity, but so 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 377 

far condescended to harmonise with the prevailing- 
spirit as to -smile now and then. As for Adolay, 
she utterly ignored the traditions of her people, 
and romped and4aughed with the best of them, 
to the great delight of Nootka, who sometimes felt 
inclined to resent her- stately ways. Cheenbuk 
adopted an intermediate course, sometimes playing 
a practical joke on the young, men, at other times 
entering into grave - converse with his Indian 
guest. Aglootook of course - stuck to his own rdle. 
He stood on a bank oLsand which overlooked the 
whole, and smiled- gracious approval, as though 
he were the- benignant father of a large family, 
whom he was charmed to see in the enjoyment of 
innocent mirth. 

Cheenbuk soon formed his .-plans for the future, 
and laid them before the- elders of the tribe the 
same evening after supper — at that period when 
poor Nazinred would have been enjoying his pipe, 
if that implement had not been blown with all his 
tobacco and -tinder into the Arctic sky. 

It is but just to the Indian to add that he took 
his heavy loss in philosophical spirit, and had 
by that time quite got over the craving — insomuch 
that he began to wonder why he had ever come 
under the sway of such a taste. 

“Now,” said Cheenbuk, with an air of decision, 
“ listen to my_plans.” 

“ Hoi ! ho ! ” exclaimed every one, especially 


378 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Aglootook, who added - “ hay ! ” in a peculiar 
tone, thus giving him leave, as it were, to talk 
as much as he pleased. 

“ You all know that I have promised to take 
Adolay back to her own home, and you know that 
I never break my promises. It is therefore my 
intention to set off to the Whale River after two 
suns have gone round the sky.” 

“ Hoi ! ” exclaimed some of the young men, with 
looks of surprise at such promptitude. 

We may observe here that in those regions the 
sun in summer describes- nearly an unbroken 
circle in the sky, and that Cheenbuk’s reference 
was to the next jtwo days. 

“I will take with me as many men and women 
as choose to go, but no children. We will take 
our spears and bows to procure food, but not to 
fight, for I go to make -friends with the Fire- 
spouters and the -white traders. So, if any one 
wants to fight” — he looked at-Raventik here, but 
that fire-eater happened to be- absent-minded at 
the moment, and sat with downcast eyes , — “to 
fight” he repeated with emphasis, “he will have 
to remain at home and fight the ^walrus— or the 
women ! ” 

A faint - ho ! ” here indicated a desire for 
more. 

“Nazinred says he is sure his people will be 
glad to -meet us. I am sure we shall be- glad to 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


379 


meet his people. What will happen after that, I 
cannot J;ell.” 

“ Something will certainly happen,” murmured 
Aglootook, as if holding .converse with his own 
spirit, or with his familiar. “ I know it; I am 
sure of it. I tell you alFbeforehand.” 

“ And you will accompany us,” said Cheenbuk, 
turning to the magician with a nod of approval. 
“ When we go on an errand of peace we need our 
wisest_men with us, men whose -knowledge and 
experience will make the Fire-spouters think much 
of us, and men who don’t -like fighting.” 

“Now,, then,” continued the Eskimo, turning 
again to the young men, “ who will go ? I shall 
not allow any to-go who are not quite willing.” 

There was no, lack ofi volunteers. The party 
was then and there arranged, and two days later 
they set out on their mission, a goodly band, in 
kayaks amLoomiaks. 

The weather continued fine; the days were 
long; islets for camping-places were numerous, 
and in process of time the party reached the 
mouth of the Whale— ^otherwise Greygoose — 
River, which they began to .ascend. 

“ Oh ! ” exclaimed Adolay, with glistening eyes, 
as she looked from bank to bank ; “ I knowdt so 
well^— almost every --bush and tree. 

“ And you Tove it ? ” said Nootka. 

“ Yes, yes ; is it not my-' own -Country ? ” 


380 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


Nootka sighed. “ I wish I could, dove my 
country like you ; but your country sticks. Mine 
melts away — most of it — every hot sun-time ; and 
it is not easy to care much for things that melt.” 

‘‘ But Waruskeek does not melt/’ said Adolay 
sympathetically. 

“That is true,” returned Nootka, as if pleased to 
think of something solid, round which her affec- 
tions might entwine; “but we stay-such a short 
time there — only while the hot sun-time lasts, and 
I have not time to get very fond of it — not so as 
to make my eyes open and my cheeks grow red 
like yours.” 

“Then you must come and live with me and 
love my country,” said the Indian girl in a 
patronising tone. 

“ What ! and forsake Oolalik ? ” exclaimed the 
Eskimo maiden, with heightened colour and flash- 
ing eyes. “ No, never. He will not melt, what- 
ever else does.” 

“Bight, Nootka,” exclaimed Adolay, with a 
laugh. “It would take a very hot sun indeed 
to melt Oolalik. But perhaps the whole tribe will 
stay in my country. I think that Cheenbuk will 
get us over this difficulty. It is wonderful what 
can be done by a man with a determined mind 
like Cheenbuk.” 

“ Yes, some of us Eskimos have very determined 
minds,” said Nootka, complacently. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE -WORLD 


381 


Adolay laugheddightly. “ And don’t you think 
that some of the-Fire-spouters have also a good 
deal of determination — especiallyjone of them who 
left the dodges of his people and wandered over 
the great salt lake all alone m search of his child?” 

“You speak truth/’ returned Nootka, with a 
pleasant nod. “ I ’ll tell you what L. think : both 
our nations are very .determined^— very!' 

Having come to this satisfactory conclusion, the 
maidens relapsed into general conversation. 

But a disappointment was in store which none 
of the party had counted on. 

When the village of the -Fire-spouters was 
reached, not a soul was to be^seen. The tent- 
poles remained, and the ashes of the hearths were 
still there; but the ashes were cold, and- not a 
man, woman, or child- remained — not even a dog. 

Nazinred and Adolay hurried at once along the 
well-known foot-path which led to the spot where 
their own -wigwam had .stood, but the place was 
deserted. As in the case off all the other lodges, 
only the bare poles, according to custom,- were left 
— the coverings having been carried away. 

Father and child looked at each other for some 
time in silent- dismay. It was a terrible home- 
coming — so- different from what each had been 
fondly^anticipating ! 

The anxious father had strode on in advance of 
the Eskimo party, but Cheenbuk had followed. 


382 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


He hung back a little from feelings of delicacy as 
they neared the old home, and was much moved 
when he saw irrepressible tears flowing from the 
eyes of Adolay. 

“ Have enemies been in the camp ? ” he asked, 
when they had contemplated the scene for some 
minutes in silence. 

“No; enemies have not been here,” answered 
the Indian. “ There is no blood on the ground ; 
no sign of a struggle. The -tent-poles are not 
thrown down ; the ashes of the fires have not been 
scattered. This would not have been so if there 
had been a fight. Keep up heart, Adolay ! ” he 
added, turning to the- weeping girl; “no evil can 
have come to Qur -people, for they have left of 
their own will for a new camp ; but I am per- 
plexed, for this is the best place in all the Dogrib 
lands for a village, and we had dived long^here in 
contentment.” 

“But if that be so, there must be good reason 
dor their having left,” suggested Cheenbuk. 

“ Good reason — yes, the men-of-the-woods never 
act without good reason.” 

“ My father may be perplexed about reasons,” 
continued the Eskimo, “ but surely he will have 
no difficulty in finding his people, for are - not the 
men-of-the-woods good at following up a trail?” 

“ Truly you say what is true. It will be easy 
find and follow the trail of a whole tribe,” 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


383 


returned Nazinred, with a smile. “ But it is disap- 
pointing to find that they have forsaken the old 
place, and it may be many days before we find 
them.” 

“Father!” exclaimed Adolay at this point, a 
bright look overspreading her -features, “mother 
must have left some sign on a piece of bark, as I 
did at-Waruskeek.” 

“I had. expected as much,” said the Indian, 
looking round the camp, “ and I had thought to 
find it here.” 

“ Notrhere,” returned the girl, with a soft laugh ; 
“ you don’t know, mother as- well as I do ! There is 
a tree, -under the shade of which she and I used 
to work when tho- days were long. If there is a 
message- any where, it is there.” 

She bounded away as she spoke, like a fawn, 
and in a few minutes returned with a piece of 
bark in her hand. 

“Here it -is, father. I knew it would be there. 
Let us sit down now and make it out.” 

Sitting down beside the cold hearth of the old 
home, father and child began to spell out Isquay’s 
letter, while Cheenbuk looked on in admiring 
silence and listened. 

The letter bore a strong family likeness to that 
which had formerly been written — or drawn — by 
Adolay at Waruskeek, showing clearly whence the 
girl had derived her talent. 


384 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“ The hand at the top^ points the way clear 
enough,” said the Indian, “but were you -careful 
to observe the direction before you moved it?” 

“ Of course I was, father. I’m not a- baby now,” 
returned the girl, with a laugh and a glance at 
Cheenbuk. 

“That you certainly are not!” thought the 
Eskimo, with a look of open admiration. 

“It pointed there ,” she continued, extending her 
hand in a north-westerly direction. 

“ThecJUkon River flows .there,” returned Naz- 
inred thoughtfully, as he traced the various parts 
of the letter with his forefinger. 

“ Is that river better than the Greygoose one ? ” 
asked Cheenbuk. 

“No. It is as good — not better,” replied the 
Indian, in an absent mood. “Adolay, this piece 
of bark carries some strange news. Here we have 
the whole tribe starting off for the-TJkon with all 
their tents, provisions, and everything in sledges. 
So they left in the- cold season — ” 

“ Yes, father,” interrupted Adolay, knitting her 
pretty brows as she earnestly scanned the letter, 
“but don’t you see the line of geese flying over 
the tree-tops ? That shows that it -was at the 
beginning of the warm time.” 

“Adolay is the worthy -daughter of a Dogrib 
chief!” said Nazinred, patting the girl’s shoulder. 

“ I hope she ’ll be the worthy wife of an Eskir 10 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


385 


youth some day,” thought Cheenbuk, but, as 
usual, he said- nothing. 

“And. look here, father,” continued Adolay, 
— “ what do they mean by having all their snow- 
shoes slung on their- guns instead of on their 
feet?” 

“It means that the snow was very soft, 
beginning to melt, and it was easier to, tramp 
through it without snow-shoes than with them. 
I hope they have been careful, for there is great 
danger in crossing lakes and rivers at such a 
time of the year.” 

“No fear of danger,” said Adolay, with a laugh, 
“when Magadar leads the way. Don’t you see 
him there in front ? Mother knows how to draw 
faces — only his nose is too long.” 

“ That is to show that he is the guide,” observed 
Nazinred. “Did you not do the -very same thing 
yourself when- you made Cheenbuk’s nose far too 
long-^for the same purpose ? ” 

Adolay laughed heartily at this, and Cheenbuk 
joined her, feeling his nose at the same time, as 
if to make sure that its handsome proportions 
were not changed. 

“And look-^-look, father!” resumed the girl, 
growing excited over the letter; “that is your 
friend 'Mozwa ! I feel sure of it by the shape 
of his legs. Who could mistake his legs ? No- 
body is like mother. She does- legs as well as 
2b 


386 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


faces. But what is that on his wife’s back — not 
a new baby, surely ? ” 

“ Why not, my child ? ” 

“ Poor man ! ” sighed Adolay. “ He had enough 
to provide for before.” 

“ Poor woman ! ” thought Cheenbuk, but he 
maintained a discreet silence. 

Of course it was decided to follow up the trail 
of the tribe without delay. As Nazinred had 
surmised, it was easily found and not difficult 
to follow. That night, however, the party en- 
camped round the hearths of the deserted 
village. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


387 


CHAPTER XXXII. 

AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 

The brief summer had fled, and autumn, with 
its bright sunshine and invigorating frosts, had 
returned to the Far North, when one day, during 
that short delightful period styled the Indian 
summer, our friend MacSweenie and his in- 
separable henchman Mowat sauntered down to 
the beach in front of the new fort. 

“ Iss it here the canoe wass lyin’, Tonal’ ? ” 

“ Ay, yonder it is, just beyond the palin’, bottom 
up.” 

“ Man, this iss fine weather — whatever.” 

“It is that,” replied Mowat, who could hardly 
have replied otherwise, for the fact did not admit 
of a doubt. 

There was an intense brilliancy yet a hazy soft- 
ness in the air, which was particularly exhilarating. 
Trumpeting wild-geese, piping plover, the whist- 
ling wings of wild-ducks, and the notes of other 
innumerable feathered tribes, large and small, 
were filling the woods and swamps with the music 


388 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


of autumnal -revelry, as they winged their way to 
southern lands. Every view was beautiful; all 
the sounds were -cheerful. An absolute calm pre- 
vailed, so that the lake-like expanse in front of 
the fort formed a perfect mirror in which the cliffs 
and brilliant foliage of the opposite banks were 
clearly reflected. 

“We will go down to the bend o’ the- rj£ver,” 
said MacSweenie, as they launched their canoe, 
“an’ hide in the bushes there. It iss a grand 
spote for birds to fly over, an’ there ’s plenty o’ 
ducks an’ geese, so we may count on soon gettin’ 
enough to fill the larder to overflow.” 

“Ay, there’s plenty o’ birds,” remarked Mowat, 
with the absent air of a man whose mind is 
running on some other theme. 

MacSweenie was a keen sportsman, and dearly 
loved a day with his gun. As a boy, on his own 
Highland hills, he had been addicted to sporting 
a good deal without the-formality of a licence, and 
the absolute freedom from conventional trammels 
in the wild North was a source of much-gratulation 
to him. Perhaps he enjoyed his outings all the 
more that he was a stern disciplinarian — so deeply 
impressed with a sense of duty that he would 
neither allow himself nor his men to indulge in 
sport of any kind until business had been 
thoroughly disposed of. 

“ It hes often seemed to me,” he said, steering 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 889 

towards the bend of the river above referred to, 
“ that ceevilisation was a sort o^ mistake. Did ye 
ever think o’ that, Tonal’ ?” 

“I can’t- say that I ever did. But if it is a 
mistake, it ’s a very successful one — to judge 
from the way it has spread.” 

“ That iss true, Tonal’, an’ more ’s the peety. I 
cannot but think that man was meant to be a 
huntinpmimal, and to get his victuals in that way. 
What for wass he gifted wi^the- power to hunt, if 
it wass- not so ? An’ think what enjoyment he 
hes in the chase until ceevilisation takes all the 
speerit out o’ him. H’m! It never took the 
speerit out o’ me, whatever.” 

“ Maybe there wasn’t enough o’ ceevilisation in 
the place where you was brought up,” suggested 
the interpreter. 

“ Ha ! ye hev me • there, Tonal’,” returned the 
trader, with a short laugh. “ Weel, I must admit 
that ye ’re not far wrong. The muddle o’ the 
Grampians iss but a wildish place, an’ it wass 
there my father had his sheep-farm an’ that I 
first made the acquaintance o’ the muir-cock an’ 
the grouse. 0 man ! but there ’s no place like the 
Heeland hills after a’, though the wild woods here 
iss not that bad. Tonal’, man, catch hold o’ that 
bush an’ draw close in to the bank. There’s a 
flock cornin’, an’ they ’re fleein’ low.” 

The last words were spoken in a hoarse whisper, 


890 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


for they had just turned the bend of the river, and 
MacSweenie had caught sight of a flock of wild- 
geese, flying low, as he said, and crossing over 
the land, which at that place jutted out into the 
stream. 

Mowat, though naturally sluggish, was quick in 
action when circumstances required him to be so. 
The canoe was drawn close under am overhanging 
bush, and quita concealed by it. The-two men, 
laying down the paddles-,- took up their guns and 
examined the priming to see that it was dry, long 
before the flock drew near. Then they sat motion- 
less and silent, crouching a little and looking 
upwards. 

The unsuspicious flock of wild-geese came over 
the point in that curious angular formation in 
which they usually travel— an old grey gander, as 
usual, leading. A deep trumpet-note now and 
then told of themapproach. Then the soft stroke 
of their great wings was heard. Next moment 
the flock appeared over the edge of the bush that 
concealed their human foes. At the same instant 
sportsmen and geese beheld each other. The guns 
flew to the shoulders of the former ; the angle was 
thrown into dire confusion, and the woods and 
cliffs reverberated with two shots, which crashed 
forth at the same moment. 

Trumpeting and screaming, the scattered flock 
passed on, and the hunters pushed out from the 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


391 


bank to pick lip two plump birds which lay dead 
upon the -water. 

But those two shots did more than carry death 
and confusion into the ranks of the grey geese. 
They caused surprise and something like wild 
excitement in the hearts of a number of Eskimos 
who, in their- kayaks, happened to be at that 
moment pushing up the^TTkon River, pioneered 
by a -birch-bark canoe, which was propelled by an 
Indian man and woman. 

Submitting to ^authority while among the ice- 
floes of the polar seas, Nazinred had, as we have 
seen, consented to take his place humbly among 
the women and children in one of the oomiaks. 
Anteek and one of his companions were permitted 
to paddle the birch-bark canoe, to their very 
great satisfaction, until Whale River was reached. 
But the moment the party entered on the lakes 
and rivers of the land, Nazinred ordered Adolay 
to take the bow paddle of his native craft, him- 
self took the steering paddle, and from that 
moment he had quietly ^assumed the office of 
guide to the expedition. 

‘iFire-spouters!” exclaimed Cheenbuk,on hearing 
the shots of the traders’ guns. 

“ Yes — myvcountrymen,” replied Nazinred. 

The kayak of Cheenbuk was about half a 
length behind the canoe, else the Eskimo would 
have seen that though the Indian’s voice was 


392 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


low and calm, his black eyes glittered with ex- 
citement. 

“ It is not like the gun of the Dogribs,” remarked 
Adolay, glancing back at her father. 

“ Why does Adolay think so ?” 

“Because there is too much noise. You have 
yourself told me, father, that the Indian uses a 
smaller charge both of powder and shot than the 
white trader, as he cannot afford to waste it. I 
never heard the guns of our men speak so loud. 
Perhaps we are going to meet white men.” 

The chief regarded his daughter with a pleased 
smile and a look of pride. 

“ Adolay observes well,” he said ; “ she is. like her 
mother. The sound was loud because the charges 
were big— -also because two guns were fired at 
once.” 

“ I heard only one,” returned the girl. 

“That is because you have nob heard much 
firing of guns. Adolay is not yet as old as her 
father. The traders from the great fresh lake 
must have come to our— land, and that is the 
reason why our people have- forsaken the old 
home.” 

As he spoke the flotilla rounded a point on the 
river, and came in sight of MacSweenie’s canoe 
making for the land after having picked up the 
geese. 

An impartial observer would not have found it 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


393 


easy to determine which party expressed more 
surprise. 

“ Fire-spouters !” shouted the new arrivals. 

“ Eskimos !”; exclaimed Mowat. 

“ Savitches — r whatever ! ” said MacSweenie. 
“ Wow ! but this ^ss-goot luck ! Gif way, my hoy, 
an’ we will meet them more than half-way.” 

Suddenly the trader ceased to paddle, and 
raised a hand to shade his eyes from the sun. 

“ Tonal’, -man !” he growled with a Gaelic ex- 
pletive which it is impossible to- -spell, “iss that a 
birch-bark canoe that I am seein’ 

“ It is that,” answered the interpreter, “ an’ I do 
believe that-t-that— ” 

“Man! Tonal’,” interrupted the trader, as he 
dipped his paddle, violently into the water. “It’s 
wishin’ I am that I may never see the Grampians 
again in this world if yon iss not-N azinred himself 
wi’ his^daater in the bow ! It iss my belief there 
will be rechoicing in the Dogrib camp this night — 
though wi’ such a band o’ Eskimos there will be 
no small risk o’ fe^htin?.also !” 

By this time the canoe and flotilla were so near 
that Nazinred recognised the trader, and threw up 
a hand in salutation, whereupon^ MacSweenie and 
Mowat, taking off their caps, treated the party to a 
rousing British cheer, which was so congenial to 
the lively Eskimos that they burst into a sym- 
pathetic howl, mingled with laughter and some 


394 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


fair attempts to imitate the cheer, while they 
splashed up the water with their paddles, and 
otherwise conducted themselves jovially. 

Of course Nazinred would not condescend to 
conduct so undignified, but in his way he expressed 
great satisfaction at the happy meeting. 

Then all the paddles were dipped again with 
vigour and the whole party made for the fort — 
the two canoes leading. 


A ROMANCE OP THE ICE-WORLD 


395 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 

THE LAST. 

“ I will be thinkin’,” said MacSweenie to Mowat, 
“ that it will be safer for our jtwo canoes to go first 
to the fort an’ leave the Eskimos behind the point 
till we warn the Indians o’ their arrival; for there 
iss no knowing what these fiery -savitches may do 
if their old .enemies come on them all of a sudden. 
Tell Nazinred that.” 

The interpreter obeyed, and as the chief was of 
the - same ^opinion, a halt was called ; Cheenbuk 
was consulted, and ultimately the Eskimos in their 
kayaks were left concealed behind the nearest 
point below the fort, while the two canoes ad- 
vanced side by side. 

“We will take- them by surprise, Tonal’. I’m 
fond o’ givin’ people a~surprise,” said MacSweenie 
in an undertone as they - drew near to the little 
wharf that had been run out from the land in 
front of the main building. A few- Indians were 
watching the arrival with some curiosity. 

But there was one^passenger in-Nazinred’s canoe 


396 THE WALRUS HUNTERS 

who cared -little for interfering with human plans 
— namely, Attim, whose shaggy head rested on the 
gunwale as he gazed and snuffed anxiously. 

The moment the canoes came within a few 
yards of the shore, the excited dog plunged over 
the side with a huge hound. He was a magni- 
ficent swimmer, and reached the land in a few 
seconds. Springing up the bank, he shook a 
shower from his sides and bounded into the 
hushes, with the certain knowledge, no doubt, 
that he had reached home at last, and that his 
faithful nose would not fail to guide him to the 
tent of Isquay. 

“0 ye rascal!” growled MacS weenie, a you’ve 
let the" cat out o’ the bag — for I make no doubt 
that every man an’ wummin o’ the tribe knows 
you by sight.” 

And the Highlander was right, for in a few 
minutes the whole camp was roused, and the 
sight of the dog told them that Nazinred had 
come back. But had he found his daughter? 
That was a point which every one who could walk, 
run, or hobble, hurried to the wharf to- ascertain. 

But the point was cleared up sooner than they 
expected, for, before they reached the wharf, a 
graceful figure was seen to be bounding through 
the bushes, apparently in hot pursuit of the dog. 

Immediately after that a treble scream was 
heard to issue from a coppice behind the fort. It 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE- WORLD 


397 


was followed by an equally treble squeal, with a 
bass accompaniment of barking. No one took 
the trouble to inquire the cause of this, for they 
knew, somehow, intuitively. 

As we have said more than once, it is unusual 
for -North American Indians to demonstrate, but 
Isquay and Adolay were, like Nazinred, in advance 
of their, times, and were in the habit of snapping 
their fingers in the hideous face of the Red Indian 
Mrs. Grundy ! 

Meanwhile,- MacSweenie and his man were 
informing the Indians at the wharf that a band of 
their old foes, the. eaters-of-raw-flesh, were at that 
moment lying on the other side of the point in 
their kayaks. 

The news was received with surprise, not 
unmingled with frowns. Every one looked at 
Nazinred inquiringly, but that astute Red man 
was engaged in profound contemplation of the 
clouds. 

“Moreover,” said the trader, “your oklr prisoner 
who gave you the slip and ran away with Adolay 
is among them.” 

“Then,” cried Magadar, starting forward, “we 
will get our guns and go after them. The young 
men have long wished for a chance of revenge.” 

“ The young men hev wished for, nothing o’ the 
sort,” cried MacSweenie, with a fierce expression 
in his blue eyes that was very impressive. “ There 


398 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


iss no wan here wants to f^ght but , yourself, 
Magadar; but I will not disappoint ye. If you 
must fpchtr wi’ some wan, ye shall fechtwvi’ me. 
But it iss jokin’ ye are.— Come now, men; these 
Eskimos hev come here on a veesit, an’ full well 
do I know that there ’s not an Indian tribe in all 
the land equal to the Dogribs for hospitality ; so 
you ’ll go and get ready a feast for our veesitors, 
an’ I ’ll gie you some goot things out o’ the store 
to help it.” 

Whatever Magadar thought about this address 
he shrouded his feelings behind an air of, impene- 
trable and stern reserve ; for he saw that the young 
men sympathised .with the trader. Nazinred also, 
in a few words, helped to confirm their, sympathy 
by telling them that the eaters-of-raw-flesh were 
not a war-party, but had brought some of their 
women and old people along with them. The end 
of it was that a shot was fired as a. preconcerted 
signal for the Eskimos to- advance. In a few 
minutes the kayaks and oomiaks came sweeping 
round the point and made straight for the land- 
ing-place. 

The reception of the men-of-the-ice by the 
traders was of course hearty and- sincere, but the 
hereditary ill-will of the Indians was not- quite 
overcome at the first. It was not until there had 
been several meetings, and a feast in the fort, and 
Donald Mowat’s violin had exercised its- soothing 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


399 


influence on the^ savage breasts, that harmony 
was, produced in some degree between the two 
parties. 

At length MacSweenie began to see his way to 
the establishment of a permanent peace, and he 
made .arrangements to have a great palaver, a 
solemn treaty, and a grand feast in connection 
with it. 

“ You must know, Tonal’,” he said one evening 
when in consultation with his interpreter in the 
privacy of his own room, “ I hev got a plan in my 
head which iss calcoolated to make things go 
smooth, if .anything will.” 

He paused rather a long time, and as Mowat 
looked at him in. expectation of hearing more, it 
struck him that the deepened bronze on his chiefs 
face, and the slight motion of his shoulders, 
indicated suppressed laughter. But the Orkney- 
man was much too sedate a character to express 
undue curiosity. He waited patiently. 

“ Yes, Tonal’,” said the trader, taking a few whiffs, 
of the long clay pipe which was his usual evening 
comforter ; “ I hev a plan, and, strange as it may 
seem to an unsentimental man like you, love is at 
the bottom of it.” 

“Well, you might have a worse foundation,” 
returned Mowat, with something of good-natured 
cynicism on his rugged face. 

“ Yes,” continued MacSweenie, “ that iss at the 


400 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


bottom of it — at least weemen are, an' that ’s the 
same thing.” 

Mowat shook his head doubtfully. “ I ’m not so 
sure o’ that,” he said ; “ no doubt women have a 
good deal to do wi’ love — but they ’re hardly the 
same thing.” 

“ Weel, Tonal’, we will not fall out on that point 
to-night, for I hev got no leisure to dispute. 
Another time we may tackle it, but I hev other 
fish to fry just now, an’ we must begin this very 
night wi’ a grand palaver.” 

After a few more vigorous whiffs, and a frown in- 
dicative of intense thought, the trader continued — 

“ I hev no doubt, Tonal’, that you hev observed 
the curious and, if I may say so, extensive variety 
of love-makin’ that has broken out in the camp 
since the arrival o’ these Eskimos ? ” 

“I can’t say that I have,” returned Mowat, 
gravely. 

“Wow, man! for a fuddler ye exhibit a most 
extraordinary want o’ perception in the more 
delicate affairs o’ human life. Well, well, it is 
strange. But I hev observed it, an’ I’m goin’ 
to turn it to account, if I can. 

“You must know that I hev been troubled in 
my thoughts about that warlike fellow Magadar, 
for, as you know, he was sweet upon the girl 
Adolay before she was carried off by the Eskimo ; 
an’ Cheenbuk is such a strong and bold lad that 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


401 


I felt sure there would be mischief between the 
two about her ; but to my surprise an’ satisfaction 
Magadar hes gone_..over head an’ ears wi’ that 
little Eskimo girl- Cowlik, who must, I think, hev 
been born in an easy-going frame of mind, which 
seems to hev stuck to her ever since, and to hev 
gone on increasing with her years. Then, as we all 
know, our Indian Alizay has for long been efter 
the girl-Idazoo. There’s no accountin’ for taste, 
Tonal’. I would sooner be married to a ship’s 
figure-head myself, but that ’s his look-out, what- 
ever. I hev also observed — ’deed it would be 
difficult not to observe — that the man Oolalik iss 
castin’ sheep’s-eyes at that girl Nootka. All this 
hes impressed me so much that I hev set myself 
to observe more closely than I ’in used to do in 
such matters, and I hev discovered two more cases 
— namely, that poor young Eskimo that was 
wounded in the last fieght, but seems to be slowly 
recovering. They call him Ondikik, and he would 
hev kicked altogether if it had not been for the 
nursin’ — so they say — o’ that nice little craitur 
they call Rinka, or something like that. The 
other case is that lively stripling Anteek. He’s 
scarcely more than a boy yet, but young Uleeta, 
as they call the girl, seems to think that no great 
objection. 

“Now, Tonal’, my plan iss to marry them/ all 
off-hand on. the same day! You know that by 
2 c 


402 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


virtue of my poseetion in the Service I am em- 
powered to perform the marriage ceremony. Of 
course, as a Christian man, I would not fail to 
impress them with the fact that no real marriage 
can take place without the blessin’ o’ their 
Manitou, but I think that the readin’ o’ the 
marriage service over them may . impress them 
favourably, an’ help in the caause of peace and 
goot-will. It shall be tried, whatever, so you 
had better go an’ get your„fioddle in order, an’ 
send the cook to me.” 

That night MacSweenie had the central hall 
of his fort lighted up, and called together a united 
council of the Indians and Eskimos. 

“ My friends, ” he said, after passing the pipe of 
peace round among the former, and offering it to 
the latter, who each took a whiff out of courtesy, 
“this is a great night, for we hev met to join 
ourselves together in a bond of friendship which 
I trust will not soon be broken.— Tell them that, 
Tonal’.” 

When the interpreter had done his duty, 
Cheenbuk was asked to translate it into the 
Eskimo tongue. The process was rather slow, 
but as natives and traders alike had plenty of 
time on their hands, and the proceedings were a 
great novelty, no one felt impatient. 

Then MacSweenie continued : 

“We pale-faces, as you call us, believe that our 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 403 

God, our Manitou, takes a great interest in all 
our affairs, from the least to the greatest, and in 
the book in which some of us hev written down 
our prayers, we ask, among many other things, 
that ‘there may be peace in our time.’ (For 
myself, I may give my opeenion that the prayer 
would hev seemed less selfish if it had run 
‘peace in all time’ — but that iss by the way, 
whatever).— Now, Tonal’, go ahead.” 

Donald went ahead, but he took the liberty of 
omitting what he deemed the irrelevant com- 
mentary. 

“ Peace, then, iss the thing that I am drivin’ 
at, — peace and goot-will between the pale-faces 
and the men o’ the woods and the men-of-the- 
ice also. There are many things that make for 
peace. The first an’ most important thing iss 
goo^feelin’. Another thing is trade — commerce, 
barter, or exchange. (I don’t see how the Eskimo 
will translate these words, Tonal’, but he will hev 
to do his best.) Then there iss common sense; 
and, lastly, there is marriage. Now, I hev said 
my , say, for the time, whatever, and Nazinred 
will continoo the discourse.” 

Thus directly appealed to, our Indian rose, and, 
looking calmly round on the assembly, said — 

“ Every word that our white father has said is 
true ; and a great many more words that he has 
not said are also true.” 


2 c 2 


404 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


“Waugh!” from the Red men, who evidently 
regarded the last remark as a -self-evident pro- 
position. 

Dispensing with the services of Mowat, Nazinred 
turned to the Eskimos and acted the part of 
his own interpreter. They received his words 
with an emphatic “ Hoi ! ” as if they were equally 
clear on the subject of the last words being in- 
disputable. 

“Our white father has said,” continued the 
chief, “that the first and most important thing 
in producing peace is good feeling. That is true. 
It was good-feeling in my child that led her 
to save the life of Cheenbuk. It was good 
feeling in Cheenbuk that made him care for my 
child, and treat her well, and bring her back here 
to her mother and her tribe. It was good feeling 
in. the Eskimos that made them., kind to the 
Indian chief, and receive him hospitably, when 
they might have taken his scalp and kept his 
daughter. It is good feeling, very strong good 
feeling, that makes the young Eskimo wish to 
make Adolay his squaw, and it is the same good 
feeling that now makes Nazinred willing that he 
should have her.” 

“ Hoi ! ” exclaimed the Eskimos at this point, 
with evident satisfaction, and “Ho!” exclaimed 
the Indians, with equally evident surprise, for it 
was contrary to all their notions of propriety that 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 405 

an Indian chiefs daughter should-'wed an eater- 
of-raw-flesh! However, they said nothing more, 
and after gazing a few moments at each other in 
silent solemnity, they turned their eyes again on 
Nazinred. 

Changing his tone somewhat, that wily Bed man 
went on in a persuasive manner to expatiate on 
the advantages of peace in general, and of peace 
with the Eskimos in particular. He also enlarged 
on the great comforts to be derived from trade — 
which could be carried on with the white traders 
on the one hand and the Eskimos on th§.,other, so 
that, between the two, the men-of- the- woods could 
not fail to obtain a double benefit. As to common 
sense being favourable to peace, he did not quite 
understand what his white father-meant by that, 
for there was only one kind of sense among the 
Dogribs — though perhaps there might be two or 
three kinds where the traders came from! But 
in regard to marriage, there could be no - doubt of 
his opinion on that point, seeing that he was 
going to give his daughter to Cheenbuk. Having 
finished what he had to say* Nazinred sat down, 
after expressing a desire to hear the opinions of 
his people on these matters. 

For some time nothing was said, and it seemed 
as if the Indians were not quite sure of their own 
minds, when Magadar arose suddenly. 

“ Braves,” he began, in his brusque manner, ‘‘I 


406 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


like fair-play. If Cheenbuk is going to carry 
off one of our maidens, it seems to me reasonable 
that an Eskimo maid should be left in her place. 
There is one of their girls who is named- Cowlik 
I am willing to take Cowlik and make her my 
squaw. Waugh!” 

Magadar sat down with the prompt air of a 
man who has conferred a favour at great personal 
sacrifice. 

Then Mozwa rose and. delivered himself of an 
oration full of wise remarks and poetical allusions, 
in which he backed his. friend Nazinred. After 
him came Cheenbuk, who said that he was much 
gratified by the speeches of Mozwa and Nazinred; 
that from the latter he had learned his first lesson 
of good-feeling towards the men-of-the-woods, on 
the day when he strove with him on the banks of 
the Greygoose River; that hi& second lesson was 
taught him by^Adolay — a . lesson that he would 
never fforget and could never, repay, for she had 
not only saved his life but made him. happy. 

At this point MacS weenie broke in with, “ Yes, 
my friends, an’ there iss a goot many more people 
here besides Cheenbuk that wants to be- made 
happy. For instance, there’s the young brave 
Alizay an’ that pleasant craitur - Idazoo that’s 
thinkin’ about marriage just now; an’ there’s 
Magadar and jCowlik, and Oolalik and Nootka, 
and Ondikik and Rinka, and Anteek and young 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


407 


Uleeta ; an’ I ’in not sure that there may not he 
some . more of you in the ..same case. If so, all 
right ; the more the merrier. Ay, ye may look 
surprised, my friends, but I ’ve got a- way o’ findin’ 
out these things that is not known to every wan. 
— Now, Tonal’, gif them that as- best ye can, and 
look sherp, for there iss more to come. 

“ Now, my fruends, I want to explain to ye that 
when white people get married they go through 
a kind of ceremony, an’ put goldr rings on the 
weemen’s fingers — by way o’ makin’ it alt ship- 
shape an!- secure, you know. Now, I understand 
how to ga about this matter, an’ we hev plenty 
o’ brass curtain-rings in the store that ’s as goot 
as gold any day — in this- country, whatever. So 
if it iss agreeable to the chiefs alid the braves 
around me, I ’m quite willin’ to marry ye all off 
at the same time, and will gif ye as much baccy 
as ye can smoke in warn night; an’ we’ll hev a 
glorious feast on the back o’t, an’ a~ dance that ’ll 
keep my fiddler’s fingers goin’ as. long as they 
can wag. — Now, Tonal’, if ye tell them all that, 
ye ’re a cliyerer man than I take ye for.” 

Whether Mowat told them all that as faith- 
fully as might be desired we cannot tell, but he 
addressed himself to the task with a genial 
fluency that at all events had the desired effect, 
for after Nazinred had translated it to the 
Eskimos, it was found that they, as well as 


408 THE WALRUS HUNTERS 

the Indians, were quite disposed to fall in with the 
eccentric trader’s views. Arrangements were ac- 
cordingly, made without delay for carrying them 
into execution. 

Of course the ladies concerned had no objections 
to offer; and it is generally believed to this day, 
in those regions, that the interest aroused by the 
promised ceremonial, not to mention the brass 
curtain-rings, as well as the tobacco, and the feast 
and fiddle, had much to do with the ready assent 
of all parties to this somewhat violent innovation 
on ancient custom. 

Be this as it may, the -wholesale, wedding even- 
tually took place; the feast came off; Tonal’ 
Mowat charmed the souls of the Eskimos with 
his ^violin, even more powerfully than he had 
charmed those of the Indians ; and Aglootook, 
almost carried out of himself with delight, volun- 
teered an oration in which he- reminded his 
hearers that he had told them that ^something 
would certainlydiappen. 

They all heartily admitted the fact, and solemnly 
proclaimed him the most-wonderfuL magician in 
the land. 

From that day to This, as fa;r as we- know, no- 
thing has occurred tojnterrupt the flow of kindly 
intercourse that was at this time established. The 
Eskimos returned to their -4cy fastnesses laden 
with some of the wealth of the. white traders. 


A ROMANCE OF THE ICE-WORLD 


409 


But every spring they came back to barter for 
more of it, as well as for the purpose of seeing the 
friends whom they had left behind them. 

For Cheenbuk, being ^unable to tear himself 
away from Nazinred, took up hi& permanent abode 
at the fort as one of the hunters to the establish- 
ment. He did not however forsake his people, 
but frequently visited old Mangivik and his 
mother at Waruskeek, and the .old folk some- 
times returned the visit by spending a few months 
on the banks of the^Ukon River. Anteek also 
elected to stay with the men-of-the-woods, being 
unable to forsake Cheenbuk, and of course young 
Uleeta remained with him. Every year Nootka 
found it quite impossible to exist without seeing 
her brother . Cheenbuk in his own home, and 
having a satisfactory gossip with her dear friend 
Adolay. As Oolalik agreed with Nootka in all 
things, there was no difficulty in arranging 
the matter. In the course of time Cheenbuk’s 
youngsters and Nootka’s progeny insisted on 
keeping up the intercourse that had been so 
auspiciously begun, and even the easy-going Cowlik 
became uneasy unless the fire-eating Magadar went 
with her occasionally to Waruskeek. 

As for the unselfish and tender-hearted Rinka, 
she of course returned with Ondikik to the realms 
of ice, and made that fortunate savage happy. 
Indeed, she made every one happy who came 


410 


THE WALRUS HUNTERS 


within her benign influence, and if the truth had 
been spoken out by every one, we suspect it would 
have been found that to her attractive powers was 
due much of the enthusiasm for intercommunica- 
tion that existed between the Red men and the 
walrus-hunters, for the principle still holds good, 
in savage not less than in civilised lands, that 
“ love is the fulfilling of the law.” 


THE END. 


Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty, 
at the Edinburgh University Press. 





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